Specific stress factors, behaviors, and personality traits have been associated, after the fact, with almost every incidence of workplace violence. The presence of several of these indicators greatly increases the likelihood of violent actions. An escalating series of clues usually precedes an act of workplace violence. The risk of a violent outburst is greatly increased when the following warning signs are ignored. Concentration problems such as difficulty recalling instructions, forgetfulness, repetition of errors, and staring into space indicate a troubled employee.
Depression can potentially cause sufferers to commit a violent act either upon themselves or other.
History of violence , including domestic abuse, is the best predictor of violent behavior. Inconsistent work patterns and attendance problems include periods of very high and very low productivity as well as unexplained or improbable excuses for absences. Obsessive interest in weapons and violent incidents may be revealed by preoccupation with hobbies such as marksmanship. An obsession with an impending apocalypse, or destruction of the world, is also common among unstable individuals. Obsession with job causes a deeper sense of loss in the case of a poor performance review or termination.