Workplace Violence

In addition to the chaos and physical impact of workplace violence, it takes a toll on productivity - absenteeism and impaired job performance are just the tip of the iceberg. You may not be able to prevent every incidence of workplace violence, but, with some knowledge of how and why it occurs, you should be able to see the signs and possibly prevent some incidents. This week's articles should help with that endeavor.

Acts of workplace violence can be reduced and many costs can be avoided with forethought, strategic planning and progressive action. (Item #1)   It's the responsibility of leaders and administrators to be aware of the potential for violence and to know how to deal with it. (Item #2)   To help understand the potential for employer liability, you first have to understand workplace violence and its signs. (Item #3)  

What happens at home doesn't always stay at home. (Item #4)   Employers know that personal, "real life" problems affect job performance, and that job performance affects the bottom line.
(Item #5)   This article summarizes the findings of a workshop on workplace violence held in Washington DC. (Item #6)  

As always, we look forward to hearing your comments & insights regarding business continuity. If you have a topic you'd like us to cover, email me at [email protected].

Bob Mellinger, President
Attainium Corp

1. The Financial Impact of Workplace Violence

The actual cost of workplace violence is very tough to pinpoint because, in most instances, appropriate financial data specific to workplace violence in a given organization is generally not kept. Most firms that experience serious workplace violence incidents want to put a spin on the events to minimize the negative publicity and impact on the business. So the cost are buried in the shuffle to get the event behind them and present the aura of 'all is well' and business as usual to avoid spooking their customers and shareholders.
http://www.workplaceviolence911.com/docs/FinancialImpactofWV.pdf

2. Workplace Violence: Impact and Prevention

Workplace violence has been increasing in the United States for the past several decades. It affects everyone, not just those who have direct experience with it in employment situations. The authors describe the extent of the problem and provide recommendations regarding how managers and helping professionals can help prevent violent and abusive behavior from occurring in the workplace. They also describe proven strategies for effectively dealing with these kinds of incidents when they do materialize.
http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1040&context=csa_fac_pub

3. Workplace Violence and Employer Liability

Although workplace violence problems are not new, they are growing in public awareness. Consequently, there are legal developments and potential liability risks that all employers face. To understand associated legal risks and issues, and ultimately create change and develop solutions to problems, one must first gain an understanding of the different types of workplace violence and the factors which may indicate potential threats.
http://www.liabilityconsultants.com/article.htm

4. How domestic violence impacts the workplace and what employers can do

Partner violence - also known as domestic violence - is most commonly viewed as a personal issue and is associated with someone's home life. While it's true that partner violence often occurs in and around a home, it doesn't stay at home when the victim and the abuser go to work.
http://workplaceviolencenews.com/2011/04/04/how-domestic-violence-impacts-the-workplace-and-what-employers-can-do/

5. How Does Domestic Violence Affect the Workplace?

Domestic violence isn't a "private matter" that stays in the home when its victims go to work. Once a woman attempts to leave an abusive partner, the workplace can become the only place the assailant can locate and harm her. Or the effects of abuse can spill over into the workplace when the victim is harassed by threatening phone calls, absent because of injuries or less productive from extreme stress.
http://employersagainstdomesticviolence.org/effects-on-workplace/workplace-dv-stats/

6. Workplace Violence: A Report to the Nation

Violence in the workplace. Every few days, there is another story on the news. One day, it may be a convenience store shooting; the next, a sexual assault in a company parking lot; a few days later, it's a disgruntled employee holding workers hostage, or a student attacking a teacher. Not surprisingly, the incidents of workplace violence that make the news are only the tip of the iceberg. What its victims all have in common is that they were at work, going about the business of earning a living, but something about their workplace environment- often something foreseeable and preventable-exposed them to attack by a customer, a co-worker, an acquaintance, or even a complete stranger.
http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/iprc/resources/workplace-violence-report.pdf