Every company surveyed by the WVRI which had a workplace violence related incident reported a dramatic increase in employee turnover and an equally dramatic drop in employee morale. Among the many reasons cited for these changes is the fact that most individuals readily accept responsibility for their own safety and security at home. However, almost all employees feel that it is the employer s duty to provide a safe work environment. Therefore, employees feel betrayed when a violent incident occurs at work. The direct financial consequences of turn-over and low morale are hiring and training expenditures and decreased productivity.
Damage control has both tangible and intangible cost factors.
Media accounts of the incident, whether accurate or not, and rumors that always follow, may influence the buying decisions of the firm s customers. Restoring the corporation s reputation following charges of incompetent or irresponsible management may require a major commitment of both human and financial resources. The answer is not so much what should be done but what must be done. Since proven methods exist to reduce workplace violence, every company has a responsibility to implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Program. Not to do so exposes employees to unnecessary risks and may well violate labor laws in some states.