Newsletter Archive
September 2005
The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers
to “furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which
are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to his employees.”
Unfortunately, not all office environments are this way. According to the Department
of Justice, one million individuals become victims of violent crime each year
while on the job. Workplace violence, which accounts for approximately 16% of
all acts of violence, is a serious issue. It is not just limited to physical assaults,
but also includes near misses, verbal abuse, and sexual harassment. Even the fear
of assault or witnessing an aggressive event can have serious effects on workers.
Aside from physical injuries, violent, abusive or threatening incidents can result
in serious psychological damage. This effect is worsened when workers blame themselves
for the incidents, which is more often becoming the case.
Nearly twenty percent of the American workforce claim that an episode of violence
has occurred in their workplace. In addition, the Department of Justice reports
that government employees have a higher rate of violence than private sector workers.
Over the years, several signs have emerged as being the most significant in detecting
workplace violence. These include environmental factors, such as a violent society
or a violence prone neighborhood and work practices, such as low staffing levels,
working alone, working with money or having long waits for services by customers,
clients or patients.
In addition, there are several traits that can serve as possible warning signs
for violent acts that may be performed by an employee. These signs include the
employees’ use of alcohol or drugs, regular expression of anger in the workplace
and a loud or aggressive nature. In addition, less obvious traits include the
perpetrators tendency to be quiet or passive in nature and to keep to themselves.
As an employer, there are several precautions you take to prevent aggressive
behavior in your workspace. First and foremost, before hiring any employee, do
an extensive background check for behavior trends that have the potential to be
harmful to your employees and yourself. Second, institute policies and procedures
for detecting and handling violent situations in the workplace. These could include
conducting training on threat assessment, long-term security and alternative dispute
resolution. Some additional proactive measures you may take include installing
metal detectors, bullet-proof glass, closed-circuit cameras, or entrance controls
in certain parts of the building.
Encouraging a low-stress environment in the workplace also aides in preventing
violence. Techniques include ensuring that the workload is in line with workers’
capabilities and resources, clearly defining workers’ roles and responsibilities,
giving workers the opportunity to participate in decisions affecting their job
and providing opportunities for social interaction among workers.
Employers and employees must work together in order to address the significant
problem of workplace violence, thus having a better chance of decreasing the propensity
of which it occurs.
|
|
