# Presentation: 329176

## WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

**CARROLL WARD EASTERN  REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICER**
**757-441-3431**
**FAX: 757-441-3422**

## DEFINITION OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

- Workplace violence is any physical assualt, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting
- A workplace my be any location either permanent or temporary where an employee performs any work-related duty

## ACTS OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

- Aggravated assault
- Sexual assault
- Product tampering
- Sabotage
- Homicide
- Includes acts committed during robberies

## IS WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AN EPIDEMIC?

- CDC SAYS.....
- Violence has reached “epidemic proportions”
- 111,000 violent incidents per year
- 750 - 1,000 workplace homicides per year

## WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

- Is the second leading cause of death in the workplace overall
- Is the leading cause of death in the workplace for females
- 1 out of 20 women will be the victim of a stalker

## WHAT CAUSES VIOLENT ACTS?

- Disgruntled Employees
- Domestic Disturbance
- Delusional Person

## DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEE

- Long Tenure
- Stressor causes violence
- End of the line

## DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE

-   **Violence spills over into the workplace**

## DELUSIONAL PERSON

- Acts against perceived to be wrong
- No connection to organization

## NCVC, FBI ACADEMY

- Serial Killers
- Serial Rapists
- Workplace Violence
-    Stressors are the same

## WHO COMMITS WORKPLACE VIOLENCE?

- Employee
- Former Employee
- Contractor
- Customer
- Vendor

## “PROFILE” OF A PERPETRATOR

-  **THERE IS NO PROFILE!**

## PATTERNS AND PROFILES

- Look for patterns rather than individual warning signs
- Profiles can help identify potential problems However, they are not all inclusive or exclusive

## INDICATORS OF A PERPETRATOR

- White male
- 30 - 50 years old
- Problem Employee
- History of Violent Behavior
- Intimidates Others
- Possible Substance Abuse

## INDICATORS OF A PERPETRATOR

- Obsessed with guns, gun magazines
- Interested in past acts of violence in the workplace
- Makes open or veiled threats
- Obsessed with job
- Loner

## INDICATORS OF A PERPETRATOR

- Paranoid
- Can’t take criticism
- Holds a grudge

## WHY DO SOME ACT OUT?

-  **NO  SUPPORT  SYSTEM**

## WHY MEN AS PERPETRATOR?

- More aggressive
- Taught not to seek help
- “Be Tough”

## 30 - 40 % COMMIT SUICIDE OR “SUICIDE BY COP”

## WHAT CAN AN ORGANIZATION DO?

- Prepare employees for downsizing
- Implement humane termination policies
- Provide job skills training
- Provide counseling

## BETTER USE OF PRE-SCREENING ANDBACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

## SECURITY OFFICER’S ROLE

- Educate
- Listen
- Work with Management

## EDUCATE THE WORKFORCE

-  **Workplace violence can and does happen**

## SUPERVISORS ROLE

- Be prepared to listen to employee concerns
- Notify Human Resources of potential problem
- Work with organization EAP
- Notify Security of potential problem

## PREPARE A RESPONSE PLAN

- Analyze past incidents
- Assess potential for violence
- Assess preparedness

## DEVELOP A RESPONSE TEAM

- Employee Assistance Personnel
- Personnel Specialists
- Medical Professionals
- Law Enforcement
-        Guard Force
-         Local Police

## WHY DON’T EMPOYEES REPORT SUSPICIONS?

- Fear of becoming a target
- Fear of retaliation
- Don’t want to get involved

## WORKPLACE VIOLENCE IS BECOMING AN EPIDEMIC

## QUESTIONS?