Work Place Violence

Lucy Carracedo

TVC Veteran Service Officer

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

Statistics…..Violence has reached “epidemic proportions”111,000 violent incidents per year750 - 1,000 workplace homicides per yearThe second leading cause of death in the

workplace overall

WHY?

North American Industry Classification System(Health Care and Social Assistance-code 62)

Occupations with highest workplace assaults.Psychiatric NurseDeputy SheriffSocial Worker

Veterans Services

Objectives

Definition and Cost Types of Violence Risk Factors Warning Signs Prevention Challenging

Situations

Definition: Any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work place setting. Shootings Stabbings Rapes Beatings Suicides and near suicides Physical assault Psychological traumas Threats, obscene or rude phone calls Intimidation Harassment of any nature

Being followed Being verbally harassed

Definition (cont’d)

Work Place Parking lots Field locations Client’s homes Traveling to and from

work assignments

Cost

Annual lost workdays: 1,176,000 by 500,000 employees at 3.5 days per incident

Lost wages – approximately $55 million

Additional Cost

Lost productivity Legal expenses Property damages Diminished public

image Increased security

Ultimate Cost

Human Factor Victims Families Co-workers Customers Employers Communities

Types of Violence

Based on Relationship of Victim and Offender

Violence by Strangers Violence by Customers or Clients Violence by Co-workers Violence by Personal Relations

Violence by Strangers

Perpetrator has no relationship to worker or workplace.

Most common:

• Robbery

• Mugging

• Rape

• Acts of Terrorism

Violence by Clients

Claimants/Clients. A client complaint

escalating into a fistfight.

A former client with a grudge against the business deciding to “get even.”

Violence by Co-workers

Current or former employees, work-studies, supervisors or managers Bullying or threatening co-workers Dispute with supervisor becoming violent

Office shooting triggered by a personnel action such as a firing or mass layoff

Includes threats to family members (i.e. an employee threatening to harm his or her supervisor’s family)

Violence by Personal Relations

Current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend

Relative

Friend

Any combination of

A relative may enter a workplace to confront the victim over a family dispute

Risk Factors

Contact with the public Working with unstable or volatile persons Delivery of goods or services Mobile workplace - “Out-reach” days Working alone or in small numbers Working late or early morning hours Working in high-crime areas

Risk Factors

“Profile” of a Perpetrator:

THERE IS NO PROFILE

Warning Signs

Frequent conflicts with others Difficulty accepting authority History of past conflicts or violence Dramatic behavior or personality change Increased absenteeism and reduced productivity Approval of violence to resolve problems Indications of depression/desperation Substance abuse: drugs or alcohol Excuses and blaming others

Warning Signs (cont’d)

Inconsistent work habits or behavior Strained work or family relationships Changes in health, hygiene or attire Inability to concentrate Loitering around or loner Extremist attitudes and opinions Frequent arguments, threatening gestures Aggressive behavior or mental illness Fascination with weapons or killing power

Anything that makes YOU uncomfortable!

Prevention

Environmental Adequate lighting inside and outside Secured entrances and accessible exits Security hardware:

Key or Smart Cards/Dead Bolts/Peep Hole

Physical Barriers and alarms Metal detectors Cameras Speed dial 9-1-1 Never close doors

Prevention (cont’d)

Behavioral/InterpersonalPractice safety procedures – have a planCreate a duress word or gesture for helpOrganize your office for ease in exitingDo not work alone – use buddy systemStay mentally and physically alertDon’t ever get complacent!

Challenging Situations

A fist-shaking customer yells, “You’ll be sorry!” at a work-study, but doesn’t strike her

Jim is working in his office when his sister’s ex-husband threatens him with a knife, demanding to know where his sister is hiding

Challenging Situations (cont’d)

Rashid Siddiq, a TVC employee, is harassed by a Work-study who shouts racial slurs and threatens to follow him home with a gun

Deena Jones is working alone in the County Veteran’s Service Office when a man wearing a ski mask and carrying a shotgun comes in upset because he hasn’t received his VA check

Summary

Workplace violence can and does happen You cannot predict the behavior of others Educate and prepare yourself as well as

your staff Practice safety and stay alive

YOU ARE IMPORTANT!

Fred Our Attack Fish