| Women face a greater likelihood of | | | | entranceways in the event that the person |
| encountering workplace violence than | | | | would show up at work. Your friend can be |
| men.Workplace violence victim: Anyone who | | | | temporarily re-assigned at the facility. The |
| has been injured, harmed, or who has suffered | | | | management and the security are prepared just |
| in some way due to acts of another while on | | | | in case of an incident. As a result of your |
| the job or due to job related factors.Victims | | | | actions no lives were lost, including your |
| are not only those who are the direct targets | | | | own.When and How to Respond |
| of a violent act. They may also be those who | | | | |
| innocently witness the act. For example, | | | | Often intervention is not necessary. If you |
| someone who witnesses a verbal or physical | | | | notice a co-worker who is frustrated or |
| attack on a co-worker may suffer emotionally, | | | | upset, simply asking if they are alright ad |
| mentally or physically as a result of what | | | | offering a listening ear can be enough to |
| they saw. Victims may also be the | | | | diffuse the situation. Taking a genuine |
| unfortunate innocent person who is just at | | | | interest in those with whom you work promotes |
| the wrong place at the wrong time.Types of | | | | good moral in your workplace.Signs of |
| violence: Among the types of violent acts | | | | Escalation for an EmployeeIs abusing alcohol |
| committed in the workplace, the following are | | | | or drugsHas suffered family trauma such as |
| the most | | | | divorce or deathLost pay or benefitsFeels |
| common:HittingSqueezingPinchingScratchingTwis | | | | unimportantHas suffered financial lossHas an |
| ting of | | | | unresolved grievance at work (perceives it is |
| limbsBitingShootingStabbingStalkingProperty | | | | being ignored)Is having marital or domestic |
| damageRapeThese are very traumatic | | | | violence problemIs suffering from |
| experiences for the victims. According to | | | | depressionMakes comments regarding their work |
| the National Institute for Occupational | | | | being unappreciatedFeels alienated by a |
| Safety and Health, the above listed incidents | | | | manager or supervisorAs you observe an |
| resulted in victims taking 3-30 days off of | | | | increasing number of warning signs in a |
| work. The violent episode impacts virtually | | | | co-worker or an employee, it should signal a |
| every aspect of the victim's life. Because | | | | greater need for caution, vigilance, and |
| of the far-reaching effect on every aspect of | | | | intervention. It is not necessary to judge |
| the workplace, the problem must not be taken | | | | the motives of an employee or co-worker. |
| lightly. | | | | Just write down what you observe.Warning |
| | | | Signs |
| Domestic disputes are increasingly becoming | | | | |
| a factor in workplace violence because the | | | | If you observe an increasing number of these |
| partner is easy to locate at work... | | | | signs in a co-worker, vender, or visitor, the |
| | | | problem must be addressed immediately. |
| Domestic Violence and Other Factors | | | | Contact your Supervisor, Human Resource, or |
| | | | Security. If not, the likelihood increases |
| Domestic disputes have become an important | | | | and the behavior may escalate to a violent |
| factor in workplace violence incidents. An | | | | incident.Direct threatsAngry outburstsBeing |
| angry spouse or significant other may come to | | | | verbally abusiveMaking serious threatsTalking |
| the workplace because his/her partner is easy | | | | about harming a spouse or co-workerObsession |
| to find there. And often when a spouse is | | | | with violenceVeiled threatsChemical/alcohol |
| served with divorce papers or a court order | | | | abuseSerious financial problems cant seem to |
| of protection they are more likely to attempt | | | | concentrateBlaming other |
| to go to the workplace and confront the | | | | consistentlyParanoiaExtreme |
| employee. And these violent incidents often | | | | withdrawalIncreased personal |
| affect and involve other innocent | | | | stressIntimidation of othersReckless |
| victims.Unique phenomena are the growing | | | | increased accidentsIncrease of the above |
| numbers of workers who tend to define who | | | | mentioned behaviorsFurther Signs To |
| they are by their jobs. This presents | | | | WatchBoundary crossing. They tend to push |
| challenges for you as the employer when | | | | the limits of acceptable behavior and they |
| conducting reviews. Since the review or | | | | continue to test the established |
| appraisal is part of your company process, an | | | | rules.Inconsistent work patterns and |
| employee may view this as a personal judgment | | | | attendance problems. This is very common |
| and feel angry or resentful.And an employee | | | | with alcohol and drug abuse. You'll also |
| who is unexpectedly fired may seek revenge | | | | notice swings of either very high or very low |
| upon those who terminated them. Some | | | | productivity.Personality disorders. Their |
| employees return months or years later to | | | | behavior has changed. They will become |
| seek revenge.Societal Factors | | | | abusive and they will justify their behavior. |
| | | | They are manipulative, preoccupied with |
| Much of what we all see in the media today | | | | themselves, argumentative, and will show |
| is violent in nature. The underlying message | | | | signs of dramatic mood swings.Pathological |
| seems to imply approval of violence in our | | | | blamers. They just will not take |
| society. | | | | responsibility for their own behavior. |
| | | | Notice if they say things like "They're out |
| Weapons are also more available than in | | | | to get me" or when they blame someone else |
| recent years. And drugs and alcohol play a | | | | for something they did. |
| role in violent situations.As violent acts | | | | |
| become commonplace, society becomes | | | | Common Mistakes |
| desensitized to the violence. And violence | | | | |
| becomes more acceptable. This impacts | | | | Tolerance of violent behavior only leads to |
| everyone at work, in the community, and the | | | | increased violence. Some common mistakes |
| home. It then becomes the responsibility of | | | | co-workers make are:Ignore aggressive |
| every worker to help prevent violence in the | | | | behaviorNot wanting to get involvedCovering |
| workplace where possible. Tolerance of | | | | up to protect a friendFailure to report |
| violence leads to an increase of violence. | | | | aggressive behavior to managementConsistently |
| | | | attempt to deal with the situation |
| According to the National Institute of | | | | aloneDomestic Violence Victim Resource |
| Safety employees at risk for violence in the | | | | GuideVictims's Responsibilities:Report all |
| workplace include:Delivering goods and | | | | incidents that occur to the police.Follow |
| servicesWorking late or early morning | | | | through wit the State's Attorney's |
| hoursWorking aloneGuarding valuable property | | | | Office.Seek an order of protection which |
| and goodsDealing with violent or volatile | | | | prohibits the offender from continuing their |
| situationsThose employees with the most | | | | behavior.Do not initiate any further contact |
| frequent interaction with the public are | | | | with the person, unless advised to do so by |
| those who experience the highest incidence of | | | | legal counsel, police, or other appropriate |
| workplace violence. Remember that it can | | | | support personnel/organization/agency.Advise |
| happen anywhere, in any workplace at any | | | | your employer, security and human resource of |
| time. Having a greater knowledge is a | | | | all incidents that occur at the workplace.If |
| successful tool in dealing with workplace | | | | you have obtained an order of protection, |
| violence.Common Traits of a Perpetrator | | | | give a copy to security, human resources, and |
| are:Easily frustratedAnti-social behaviorVery | | | | your immediate supervisor along with a recent |
| DefensiveHas low self-esteemNot | | | | photo, if possible.Always keep a copy of your |
| adaptableConsistently avoids blameHolds | | | | order of protection papers with you at all |
| grudgesLacks self controlHistory of substance | | | | times.Victim's Safety:Let someone close to |
| abuseAbusive to animalsSuspicious of | | | | you, a friend, relative, or co-worker know |
| othersHistory of family problemsThis list | | | | everything about what is happening.Advise |
| suggests common traits of those who are or | | | | someone at all times of your schedule, and if |
| can become violent in the workplace.Pattern | | | | your plans change.Whenever possible, |
| of escalation:No two situations will be the | | | | alternate your daily routine(s). Don't leave |
| same. The following sequence will provide an | | | | for work at the usual time, if you have |
| example of a common pattern:1. Some sort of | | | | children make arrangements to have others you |
| trauma is suffered. This may be:A single | | | | trust pick them up. Park your vehicle in a |
| traumatic event at home or workA series of | | | | well-lit area.Always have your car keys in |
| minor events2. Blame is placed on the | | | | your hand as you approach your vehicle.If |
| situation, rather than taking personal | | | | possible have someone with you when you are |
| responsibility.3. Believes the problem is | | | | leaving work.Consider changing your telephone |
| unsolvable.4. Increased social withdrawal. | | | | number.Additional Suggestions:Keep a log of |
| Attention becomes focused on self and | | | | all threatening and harassing phone |
| situation.5. Belief that a violent act is the | | | | callsConsider obtaining a Caller ID and/or |
| only way out of the problem.6. The violent | | | | call back feature *69) on your home |
| act is attempted or committed.While violent | | | | phone.Check into other features Ameritech |
| behavior is not always a result of these | | | | offers in your area.Consider installing a |
| factors, caution is warranted when these | | | | home alarm security system.Change the locks |
| factors are observed.Being Part of the | | | | in your home.Consider installing additional |
| Solution | | | | lighting on the outside of your home.Gather |
| | | | important documents such as lease, rental |
| Often the first question that comes to mind | | | | agreements, house deed, Mortgage payment |
| is why should I do something about it? As a | | | | book, birth certificate(s), bank check books, |
| co-worker, friend, or associate, it may save | | | | credit cards, medical records, insurance |
| a life. You may feel helpless or that | | | | documents, etc. And keep these items |
| nothing you could possibly do will make one | | | | together or give them to someone you trust |
| bit of difference, but you are wrong.Let's | | | | for safekeeping.website: |
| say that a co-worker tells you in confidence | | | | |
| that because of the abuse in their marriage | | | | website blog and resource: |
| they are finally ready to have their partner | | | | |
| served as well as obtain an order of | | | | Email address: Susan Murphy-Milano, |
| protection. You know that your friend's | | | | respected author and nationally recognized |
| partner has a history of violence, and you | | | | workplace violence and relationship expert, |
| are trying to be supportive and keep your | | | | has been a tireless advocate for all types of |
| friend's secret. This is a mistake. First, | | | | violence. In January of 1989, Susan's |
| encourage your friend to tell their | | | | father, a Chicago Violent Crimes Detective, |
| supervisor or someone in Human Resources and | | | | murdered her mother and then took his own |
| or security.Her partner may become so angry | | | | life. In 1993 she was instrumental in the |
| that he storms his way into your workplace | | | | passage of the Illinois Stalking law. |
| with a weapon and harms others. Perhaps a | | | | Susan's quest for justice has been trumpted |
| hostage situation takes place. As a result | | | | across the pages of newspapers, magazine, |
| seven people died and nine were injured | | | | radio and television. She is the author of |
| because you kept silent.Now, let's say you | | | | "Moving Out Moving On" when a relationship |
| encourage your friend to tell a supervisor or | | | | goes wrong and "Defending Our Lives" getting |
| security person prior to either filing the | | | | away from domestic violence & staying safe |
| court documents or when they return back to | | | | (doubleday). She is a sought after speaker |
| work, a safety plan can be implemented | | | | and her publications and books appear across |
| immediately. For instance photos of the | | | | the globe. |
| person can be distributed to all the | | | | |