# Presentation: 329172

## WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

- CHERYL L. WIESER
- REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICER
- US DEPT OF COMMERCE
- 206-526-6653
- FAX: 206-526-4543

- Updated 1/6/2003

## SOMETHING ABOUT ME

-   24 Years with the Federal Government
- Law Enforcement
- Investigator
- Security Specialist
-   2nd Degree Black Belt in Karate
-   1st Degree Black Belt in Weapons
-   Teaching Women’s Self Defense since 1981

## Definitions

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

**Notes:**
THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE BUILDINGS  AND THE SURROUNDING PERIMETERS, INCLUDING THE PARKING LOTS, FIELD LOCATIONS, CLIENTS’ HOMES AND TRAVELING TO AND FROM WORK ASSIGNMENTS.

ANY ACT OF AGGRESSION, WHETHER PHYSICAL OR VERBAL THAT OCCURS BETWEEN CO-WORKERS OR BETWEEN EMPLOYEES AND/OR NON EMPLOYEES  OR ANY INCIDENT IN WHICH AN EMPLOYER OR EMPLOYEE IS THREATENED, INTIMIDATED, VERBALLY OR PHYSICALLY ATTACKED, HARASSED, INJURED OR KILLED.    

## 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

## Occupational Safety and Health Act

- Requires protection against workplace hazards – workplace violence
- Tort liability for negligent hiring, supervision, training and retention
- Have written policy against workplace violence
- Communicate it to all employees
- Establish an effective EAP

## WHAT IS WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

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

## 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**

## COSTS TO COMPANIES

- Lose 1,751,100 work days a year
- Domestic Violence cost $31 billion a year
- 75% use company time for personal business
- 54% of battered women miss work an average of 18 days

## COSTS TO COMPANIES

- 74% of abused women are harassed at work
- 56% of abused women are late for work at least 60 days a year
- 28% of abused women leave work early 60 days a year
- 1/2 of abused women are disciplined for low job performance

## 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

**Notes:**
PATTERNS:  PAST VIOLENT INCIDENTS, HISTORY OF
	    VIOLENT BEHAVIOR, OBSESSION WITH
                         GUNS, FEELS PROSECUTED, THREATENS
                         CO-WORKERS, DISPLAYS VIOLENT
                         BEHAVIOR, IS A LONER, HAS 
                         OUTSIDE STRESSORS, INTIMIDATES
                         OTHERS, “WORK-AHOLIC”.

PROFILE:  MALE, CAUCASIAN, AGE 25-40, POOR SELF-
                     ESTEEM, LONER, OWNS SEVERAL GUNS,
                     HISTORY OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR, HISTORY
                     OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE, RECENT PERSONAL
                     TRAUMA, UNDER THREAT OF
                     DISCIPLINARY ACTION, EXPRESSES A
                     DESIRE TO HURT OTHERS. 

## 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
- Threat Assessments

## BETTER USE OF PRE-SCREENING ANDBACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

## THE SAFETY & SECURITY OFFICER’S ROLE

- Educate
- Listen
- Work with Management

## EDUCATE THE WORKFORCE

-  **Workplace violence can and does happen**

## BE PREPARED TO LISTENTO EMPLOYEE’S CONCERNS

## Responding to Imminent Threat of Violence

- Remain calm
- Speak Softly
- Respect personal space – keep a safe distance
- Buy time
- Focus on the person and not weapons
- Negotiate - Get as many “yes” responses as you can

## WORK WITH MANAGEMENT TO 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 AN EPIDEMIC

## QUESTIONS??