work place violence
DESCRIPTION
Work Place Violence. Lucy Carracedo TVC Veteran Service Officer. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Statistics….. Violence has reached “epidemic proportions” 111,000 violent incidents per year 750 - 1,000 workplace homicides per year - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Work Place Violence
Lucy Carracedo
TVC Veteran Service Officer
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
Statistics…..Violence has reached “epidemic proportions”111,000 violent incidents per year750 - 1,000 workplace homicides per yearThe second leading cause of death in the
workplace overall
WHY?
North American Industry Classification System(Health Care and Social Assistance-code 62)
Occupations with highest workplace assaults.Psychiatric NurseDeputy SheriffSocial Worker
Veterans Services
Objectives
Definition and Cost Types of Violence Risk Factors Warning Signs Prevention Challenging
Situations
Definition: Any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work place setting. Shootings Stabbings Rapes Beatings Suicides and near suicides Physical assault Psychological traumas Threats, obscene or rude phone calls Intimidation Harassment of any nature
Being followed Being verbally harassed
Definition (cont’d)
Work Place Parking lots Field locations Client’s homes Traveling to and from
work assignments
Cost
Annual lost workdays: 1,176,000 by 500,000 employees at 3.5 days per incident
Lost wages – approximately $55 million
Additional Cost
Lost productivity Legal expenses Property damages Diminished public
image Increased security
Ultimate Cost
Human Factor Victims Families Co-workers Customers Employers Communities
Types of Violence
Based on Relationship of Victim and Offender
Violence by Strangers Violence by Customers or Clients Violence by Co-workers Violence by Personal Relations
Violence by Strangers
Perpetrator has no relationship to worker or workplace.
Most common:
• Robbery
• Mugging
• Rape
• Acts of Terrorism
Violence by Clients
Claimants/Clients. A client complaint
escalating into a fistfight.
A former client with a grudge against the business deciding to “get even.”
Violence by Co-workers
Current or former employees, work-studies, supervisors or managers Bullying or threatening co-workers Dispute with supervisor becoming violent
Office shooting triggered by a personnel action such as a firing or mass layoff
Includes threats to family members (i.e. an employee threatening to harm his or her supervisor’s family)
Violence by Personal Relations
Current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend
Relative
Friend
Any combination of
A relative may enter a workplace to confront the victim over a family dispute
Risk Factors
Contact with the public Working with unstable or volatile persons Delivery of goods or services Mobile workplace - “Out-reach” days Working alone or in small numbers Working late or early morning hours Working in high-crime areas
Risk Factors
“Profile” of a Perpetrator:
THERE IS NO PROFILE
Warning Signs
Frequent conflicts with others Difficulty accepting authority History of past conflicts or violence Dramatic behavior or personality change Increased absenteeism and reduced productivity Approval of violence to resolve problems Indications of depression/desperation Substance abuse: drugs or alcohol Excuses and blaming others
Warning Signs (cont’d)
Inconsistent work habits or behavior Strained work or family relationships Changes in health, hygiene or attire Inability to concentrate Loitering around or loner Extremist attitudes and opinions Frequent arguments, threatening gestures Aggressive behavior or mental illness Fascination with weapons or killing power
Anything that makes YOU uncomfortable!
Prevention
Environmental Adequate lighting inside and outside Secured entrances and accessible exits Security hardware:
Key or Smart Cards/Dead Bolts/Peep Hole
Physical Barriers and alarms Metal detectors Cameras Speed dial 9-1-1 Never close doors
Prevention (cont’d)
Behavioral/InterpersonalPractice safety procedures – have a planCreate a duress word or gesture for helpOrganize your office for ease in exitingDo not work alone – use buddy systemStay mentally and physically alertDon’t ever get complacent!
Challenging Situations
A fist-shaking customer yells, “You’ll be sorry!” at a work-study, but doesn’t strike her
Jim is working in his office when his sister’s ex-husband threatens him with a knife, demanding to know where his sister is hiding
Challenging Situations (cont’d)
Rashid Siddiq, a TVC employee, is harassed by a Work-study who shouts racial slurs and threatens to follow him home with a gun
Deena Jones is working alone in the County Veteran’s Service Office when a man wearing a ski mask and carrying a shotgun comes in upset because he hasn’t received his VA check
Summary
Workplace violence can and does happen You cannot predict the behavior of others Educate and prepare yourself as well as
your staff Practice safety and stay alive
YOU ARE IMPORTANT!
Fred Our Attack Fish