(A Preventive Program) PREVENTION.pdf · 2018-03-07 · LCSW, LMFT, CEAP 2 Agenda 1. Outline 2....

Violence in the Workplace (A Preventive Program)

EAP Works

855-720-2273

Ken Scroggs LPC, LCSW, LPC, CEAP

Copyright 2009 Ken Scroggs, LPC, LCSW, LMFT, CEAP 2

Agenda

1. Outline

2. Definition

3. Workplace examples

4. Security policies and procedures

5. Violence categories

6. Organizational impact

7. Myths

8. Warning signs

9. Response

10.Prevention

11.Employee Assistance Program

12.Conclusion


Outline

1. Understand the impact of violence in the workplace

2. Recognize warning signs

3. Understand appropriate responses to prevent and manage workplace violence

4. Know your responsibilities as a Manager

5. Know our Corporate security policies and procedures

6. Identify resources for help


Definition

Workplace violence is any perceived act of physical, verbal or psychological threat, assault, or trauma on an individual / work group that results in physical and / or psychological damage


Who is at risk?

1. 2 million American workers are victims of workplace

violence each year

2. 645 workplace homicides were recorded in 1999 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

3. Workplace homicides are the 3rd leading cause of

occupational fatalities for all employees (2nd for

women)

4. One in 6 crimes in the U.S. occur at work

5. 13% of stalkers are former employees or co-

workers


Who is at risk? cont.

6. Annually an average of 6 million employees are

threatened and 16 million are harassed

7. 30% of all female homicides killed by spouse

8. 75%of violence victims are harassed at work

9. 54% of battered employees miss 18 days/yr.

10. 44% of all abuse victims have lost a job


Examples

San Antonio, TX, Community College Library, Librarian shoots and kills fellow librarian at the library where both men worked, October, 2008

NASA, Employee with performance problems shoots supervisor several times before taking a hostage then shooting self, Houston, TX, April 2007


Examples, cont. Safeway, Stressed employee guns down 5 co-

workers, one fatally before dying in firefight with police Denver, CO June, 2006

St. Louis, MO, After committing crimes at two separate non-work locations, man shoots two people and then himself at work, due to stress of being charged too much for child support, April, 2006

Atlanta, GA, Defendant Nichols shoots Fulton County Judge and court reporter with deputy’s firearm, March, 2005


Examples, cont.

APEX, Mail Bomb for employee sent by Ex-husband, July, 2001

Home Depot, 2 murders & suicide, Atlanta, July, 2001

Alabama truck driver complained his co-workers were spreading rumors about him; shot and killed 3 ~ June, 2000


Work Examples

1. Jealous wife a) Calls spouse’s boss and co-workers b) Threatens to come to workplace c) Threatens to kill herself

2. Sexual harassment a) Female is approached by male co-worker b) She rejects the advances c) He invades her personal space and sends

obscene e-mail messages


Workplace Examples (cont.)

3. Medical

a. Employee was extremely depressed

b. Stopped outside CEO office and stood staring

c. police had to remove employee

4. Physical violence

a. Two employees have a verbal altercation

b. Agree to step outside and continue with a ‘fist-a-cation’


Violence Categories

Type I. The offender has no legitimate relationship to the workplace or the victim and enters the workplace to commit a criminal act, such as a robbery.

Likely victims of these offenders are taxi drivers and

employees of small, late-night restaurants, convenience stores, liquor stores, and gas stations. More than half of the workers killed die at the hand of these offenders.


Violence Categories (cont.)

Type II. This perpetrator is either the recipient or the object of a service provided by the affected workplace or victim, such as a current or former customer, student or patient.



Type III. The offender has an employment-related involvement with the workplace. This relationship may be direct or indirect.

It usually involves a current or former employee,

supervisor, manager, or executive; or a current or former spouse, lover, relative, or friend.



Type IV. Terrorism and hate crimes. This may be based on personal or political beliefs and may not involve employment or a direct relationship.

Examples may include anti-nuclear environmental

groups, neo-nazi organizations, etc.


Organizational Impact

1. Emotional trauma

2. Absenteeism/lost time

3. Medical/mental health costs

4. Disability claims

5. Workers comp

6. Reduced productivity

7. Negative publicity

8. Potential liability

9. Post traumatic stress disorder


Myths

Myth #1: Violent employees just snap, without warnings or clues.

Myth #2: If violent employees provide clues, there should be no incidents of workplace violence.

Myth #3: Individuals who commit workplace violence have lost everything.


Warning Signs

Note:

Cannot predict or assume potential for violence based on any one of the following indicators. Cluster of factors are considered in evaluating risk level.


Warning Signs (cont.)

1. History of aggressive behavior, violence (including domestic violence)

2. Identification with aggressors or past violent acts

3. Preoccupations with weapons

4. Intimidating/aggressive behavior

5. Significant changes in appearance, behavior, social interaction

6. Impulsive, erratic behavior

7. Mood swings


Warning Signs (cont.)

8. Suspicious, paranoid behavior

9. Bizarre or obsessive thoughts (romantic obsession)

10.Stalking

11.Significant losses and / or personal problems

12.Extreme desperation, hopelessness, suicidal tendencies

13.Strong sense of entitlement; blaming others

14.Moral righteousness

15.Alcohol / drug abuse


Corporate Security

1. Building access

2. ID Badges and access cards

3. Emergency reporting procedures

4. Incident response plan

5. Bomb threat response plan


Corporate Security (cont.) ID Badges & Access Cards

1. ID Badges must be worn at all times

2. Access cards are used for entry into docks and buildings

3. Guards / Front Desk check ID

4. 24-hour Security guard service

5. Off-duty City or County Police Officer

6. After hour on-call program for emergencies

7. Routine checks of parking decks and campus

8. Security cameras

23

Corporate Security (cont.)

Incident Response

1. Call to Security or

Dispatch

2. Security / Dispatch

team respond

3. Team maintains

radio contact

4. 911 call, team

stationed at

designated sites

5. Designated sites:

driveway, loading dock,

elevator and hallway

6. Hallways are kept clear

and escort provided

7. Goal:respond quickly,

quietly and efficiently


Response 1. Take immediate action and call violence

prevention team, Security, Hr,EAP...

2. Consider safety first

3. Remain calm and in control

4. Remove Employee from worksite (as

appropriate)

5. If assistance is needed, follow Corporate

emergency reporting procedures


Remember

1. Remember that other individuals who experience violence in the workplace may be traumatized and need intervention or counseling

2. Consult with EAP to assess need for Stress De-Briefing sessions.


Employee Assistance Program, EAP

1. Corporate Intervention

2. Onsite Stress Debriefing

3. Consultation & Training

4. Drug Free Workplace Training

5. Violence Prevention Seminar Training


Employee Assistance Program, EAP

1. Individual Intervention

2. Individual Evaluation of Depression & Referral

3. Individual Treatment, Medical Management, Support Groups & Family

4. No-Suicide Contract

5. 24 hour family support & treatment

6. Follow-up


Prevention

1. Promote involvement and demote isolation

2. Maintain safe, harassment-free work

environment

3. Set appropriate limits regarding acceptable

workplace behavior

4. Encourage effective two-way communication

5. Deal with “Distrust” asap with in the

organization


Prevention (cont.)

Be aware of warning signs, clues

Take threats seriously, including jokes

!!DO NOT IGNORE!!

Consult with HR & EAP Works 770-449-1111 or 855-720-2273

(A Preventive Program) PREVENTION.pdf · 2018-03-07 · LCSW, LMFT, CEAP 2 Agenda 1. Outline 2....

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