1.5 million incidents of workplace violence occur every year, according to Rutgers University. In many cases, employees verbally threaten to carry out violent plans prior to doing so. Whether you are an employer or an employee, you can protect yourself from workplace violence if you know the warning signs, pay attention and take appropriate precautions.
Instructions
1. Learn the warning signs of potential violence. Employees or co-workers who constantly complain about unfair treatment or being passed over for raises or promotions are more likely to become violent, especially if they exhibit other signs of mental or emotional instability and tend to be loners, according to Rutgers University. Employees who struggle with substance abuse problems or have a history of violent behavior are also more likely to become violent.
2. Keep the lines of communication open. If you are an employer, talk regularly to your employees and allow them to air grievances without repercussions. Involve employees in problem solving rather than making policy changes without consulting them to lessen the possibility that they feel slighted. Refer employees to counseling if needed for anger management or other problems. If you are an employee, talk to your employer about your concerns regarding the job or other employees' behavior. Whether employer or employee, you should also be willing to engage customers and attempt to meet their needs.
3. Perform a background check on new employees prior to hire. Avoid employees who have a history of violence, such as people who have been convicted of domestic violence. Evaluate potential employees for signs of difficulty dealing with anger such as blaming others for their failures. Check personal and professional references prior to hiring employees.
4. Forbid employees to tell customers or callers when another employee is expected to come in. There have been cases where a stalker has obtained this information to violently confront an employee at work.
5. Avoid violent behavior yourself, including verbal abuse such as threats or name-calling. This sets an example of non-violent conflict resolution as well as making it less likely that your behavior will trigger violent reactions in others.
6. Do business with a potentially dangerous employee or customer in front of others. Violence is less likely in front of witnesses, and you will also have another pair of eyes corroborating your version of events should an employee or customer claim you attacked them first.
7. Document any incidents of harassment or abuse and report them to your supervisor. If you suspect that an employee or co-worker may become violent, contact law enforcement. Law enforcement personnel are trained to deal with potentially violent people, to evaluate the situation and to help everyone involved, including the potential attacker.
8. Make an escape plan before dealing with potentially violent people in the workplace. Position yourself by an exit in case you must leave quickly when talking to such people one-on-one and keep a pager, walkie-talkie or cell phone where you can easily access it in case you need to contact security.
