Summer of Violence: Time to Review Your Workplace Readiness?

Although in most workplaces violence is not expected, it can erupt with little or no warning almost anywhere. That’s why you need to be sure that everyone in your workplace is doing everything possible to prevent incidents of violence on the job. And we emphasize the word "everyone" because ultimately everyone in your workplace is responsible for helping to keep violence out.

The USDA Handbook on Workplace Violence Prevention and Response provides a good summary of violence prevention responsibilities. We’ve excerpted and adapted their outline to suit both private and public employers.

Safety/Security Staff

• Conduct regular threat assessment surveys of the facility to determine the level of security preparedness and any gaps in the security plan.
• Serve as the facility’s security experts, keeping management advised of the risk of violence, any security gaps identified by threat assessments, and the means to close these gaps, including the latest technologies.
• Work with facility personnel to improve the security level of the buildings, grounds, parking lots, etc.
• Train facility personnel in security measures and violence prevention techniques.
• Serve as the liaison with law enforcement and other agencies in the event of incidents or threats.

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Employees

• Be familiar with the organization’s policy regarding workplace violence.
• Be responsible for securing their own work area.
• Be responsible for questioning and/or reporting strangers to supervisors. (Employees should not confront individuals who are a threat.)
• Be aware of any threats, physical or verbal, and/or any disruptive behavior of any individual and report such to supervisors.
• Be familiar with procedures for dealing with workplace threats and emergencies.
• Be familiar with the resources of the Employee Assistance Program.
• Take all threats seriously.

Managers and Supervisors

• Inform employees of the organization’s workplace violence policies and procedures.
• Ensure that employees know specific procedures for dealing with workplace threats and emergencies, and how to contact police, fire, and other safety and security officials.
• Ensure that employees with special needs are aware of emergency evacuation procedures and have assistance (as necessary) regarding emergency evacuation situations.
• Respond to potential threats and escalating situations by using proper resources from the following: security and safety personnel, local law enforcement and medical services, human resources staff, and the Employee Assistance Program.
• Take all threats seriously.
• Check prospective employees’ backgrounds prior to hiring.

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Top Management

• Develop a policy statement that indicates the organization will not tolerate violent or disruptive behavior and that all reports of incidents will be taken very seriously and dealt with appropriately.
• Provide appropriate materials to all employees so that workers are aware of the procedures for preventing and responding to incidents of violence in the workplace.
• Ensure that appropriate personnel have completed an on-site review of safety and security of buildings and offices.
• Provide adequate resources for employee training and awareness.
• Include workplace violence training in all employee orientation and supervisory training sessions.
• Provide funding for appropriate safety and security of employees.
• Ensure that performance standards of appropriate staff reflect the importance of workplace safety and security.
• Provide for briefings on workplace violence at staff meetings.
• Coordinate with other employers in vicinity to develop joint workplace violence prevention plans.

Tomorrow, a reminder that not all workplace violence rises to the level of multiple shootings and makes the headlines. Even a fistfight on the job is violence, and such incidents need to be taken seriously and addressed appropriately by your violence prevention program.