Violent behavior should be dealt with as soon as it is identified. If the employee is retained, potential liabilities exist. Counseling, employee assistance programs, and careful evaluation of the potential for violence as well as the ability to eliminate the potential should be thorough and carefully documented. It is necessary to establish a crisis management team. The process must include a detailed incident reporting process and policies that address the corporate reaction and penalties for violent behavior.
Legal issues are obviously present.
A response plan must necessarily involve the administrative, human resource, risk management, and legal departments. The response must include a detailed process for taking statements from the involved victims or perpetrators. A process to maintain confidentiality should be in place. The public authorities should be involved, and there should be a process for prompt notification and quick response. There may be a need for restraining orders.