Workplace Violence: A Managerial Perspective

Transcription

1 Workplace Violence: A Managerial Perspective

2 Introduction and Purpose Provide options to managers, supervisors, hiring authorities, human resources staff, etc., on handling potential violence from employees.

3 Questionnaire (Pretest) 1. Willful property damage is usually considered to be an example of workplace violence. 2. Workplace violence incidents need not be reported if you have a good employee assistance program. 3. Detailed documentation of workplace violence is needed only in homicide cases. 4. Of the cases of workplace violence reported, about 4% are caused by co-workers. 5. Domestic violence is not associated with workplace violence.

4 6. Orange County Personnel Policy addresses the issue of workplace violence. 7. The Orange County Office of Professional Standards cannot assist you in workplace violence matters. 8. Any office or meeting room is appropriate for a disciplinary meeting in which violence could occur. 9. Always sit next to the person who is being disciplined to show that you care about them. 10. Injunction is just another word for trespass warning.

5 Workplace Violence Behaviors

6 Verbal Outbursts

7 Intimidation

8 Harassment 1. Sexual 2. Racial

9 Threats

10 Sexual Assault

11 Damage to County or Private Property

12 Physical Assault Hitting Shoving Pushing Kicking

13 Assault with a Weapon Knife Firearm Object

14 Homicide

15 Terrorism

16 Documentation Jim stomped into my office yelling, You can t do this; you can t do this. He slammed the door shut so hard that the walls shook. He then screamed at me, I want that raise that everyone else is getting or else. I promise I ll take care of you if I don t get it. As he screamed at me, his lips were pursed, the veins in his neck were protruding, and he slammed his fists repeatedly on my desk.

17 Statistics & Recent Workplace Incidents

18 Statistics Workplace violence affects one out of every four full-time American workers each year. There were 677 work-related murders in the U.S. in Homicide is the number one cause of death for women in the workplace. The yearly cost to employers for all workplace violence is about $4.2 billion.

19 Recent Incidents

20 Ft. Lauderdale 5:00 a.m. February 9, 1996 Ft. Lauderdale, FL A fired Ft. Lauderdale beach maintenance worker walked into a beach maintenance break room and shot and killed five city employees. He then killed himself. The shooter had been fired by the City of Ft. Lauderdale 14 months prior to the multiple homicide.

21 Worst Recent Workplace Shootings July 19, 1995 April 3, 1995 April 24, 1996 September 15, 1997 December 18, 1997 July 29, 1999 August 5, 1999 November 2, 1999 March 20, 2000 December 26, 2000 March 6, 1998

22 Orange County Policy and Safety and Health Manual

23 Possible Actions to Prevent Violent Encounters

24 Background checks on pre-hires to discuss the prospective employees with their past employers and verify information.

25 Create a threat/incident assessment team County, Division, Department.

26 Seek Professional Advice Referral to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Office of Professional Standards Risk Management Human Resources/Employee Relations Fitness for duty Stress management training Aggression management training Sheriff/Police

27 Warning Signs

28 Pre-Disciplinary Meeting Options 1. Effective communication 2. Determine best site 3. Select who should attend 4. Mini-background check 5. Select neutral single-point-of-contact person

29 Strategic Positioning Employee Security Aide Conference Table Manager Door Security

30 Actions to Be Taken During the Disciplinary Meeting 1. Exercise proper sensitivity and compassion 2. Observe and assess employee s behavior 3. Do not allow baggy clothing, purses, bags, etc. 4. Know how to deal with angry relatives & friends 5. Use caution if something doesn t seem right 6. Do s and don ts 7. Be willing to cancel meeting

31 Post Disciplinary Meeting When Violence is Anticipated 1. Advise employee not to return to meeting site. 2. Change locks/keypad access. 3. Escort employee from meeting. 4. Have a procedure for the return of county property and collection of personal items. 5. Use caution if something doesn t seem/look right.

32 Post Termination Security Considerations 1. Armed security guard(s). 2. Physical security accesses (parking, doors, stairwells, hallways, use of buddy system, etc.) 3. Screen suspicious mail 4. Possibly remove the sole focus of the threatening behavior to his/her home or off-site work location.

33 Wrap-Up Questions

34 Questionnaire (Posttest) 1. Poor employee attitude is an example of workplace violence. 2. Reporting workplace violence incidents is one of the most important components of a workplace violence program/policy. 3. Documentation of workplace violence should be objective and in detail. 4. Most workplace violence is caused by co-workers. 5. Domestic violence is directly associated with over 40% of the reported cases of workplace violence.

35 6. The Orange County Safety and Health Manual is a source for information on workplace violence. 7. The Orange County Office of Professional Standards can do background checks on County employees suspected of workplace violence. 8. The manager s office is the best location for a disciplinary meeting for an employee when violence could occur. 9. County employees who engage in violent behavior may be subject to a predetermination hearing. 10.Suspicious mail should be returned to the U.S. Postal Service; and employees should be evacuated to a safe area.

36 The End