The Source - Workplace Violence
With workplace violence affecting millions of American workers each year, coupled with the alarming announcement from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) that over 70 percent of U.S. workplaces do not have a formal program or policy that addresses workplace violence, EBI believes NOW is the time for action! Receive an inoculation against workplace violence by infusing our award winning screening solutions into your company’s workplace protection plan.
Keeping Violence Out Of Your Workplace.
Considering many acts of violence can come directly from other employees in your organization, establishing due diligent pre-employment and ongoing background screening policies is a must and can help identify the propensity of an employee to cause acts of violence against your organization. Remember, an employee’s past performance and actions are a great predictor of future behavior.
Here are a few suggestions to follow when creating or reviewing your overall screening policies:
Reduce the Risk Factor…
Create a Workplace Protection Plan
Steps in reducing internal threats of workplace violence should start with assessing possible safety hazards or situations that can lead to uncomfortable and even dangerous employee interactions. Consider the following points when reviewing corporate policy, guidelines and employee handbooks within your organization:
- Establish a zero tolerance for workplace violence against or by other employees.
- Conduct employee training so ALL staff members can identify workplace violence situations including proper communication, reporting and follow-up.
- Conduct sexual harassment training for ALL staff members with additional training for supervisors and managers to administer the policy.
- Identify safety and accident risks around the workplace and establish policies to mitigate them.
- Restrict employees from carrying weapons or other dangerous materials within the workplace.
- Review all policies on a regular basis to maximize their effectiveness.
A long time plant worker shot and wounded a co-worker at an industrial park before driving away and taking his own life. The acting Police Chief said "He wasn't sure how many employees were at work or how many saw the violence. But, he said, all of them are suffering."
Workplace fight leaves employee dead, witnesses were unable to break up the fight between co-workers. An employee at the scene said "The workplace employs about 80 and is the type of place where everyone knows everyone else. This type of thing has never happened before." Workplace fight leaves employee dead, witnesses were unable to break up the fight between co-workers. An employee at the scene said "The workplace employs about 80 and is the type of place where everyone knows everyone else. This type of thing has never happened before."
Workplace shooting leaves one dead, two injured. A laid-off employee opened fire with a shotgun on his former office and co-workers Monday, killing one and injuring two.
A man fatally shot his former girlfriend and wounded her co-worker at an auto parts store, then eluded police for several hours before he was captured."
Two women who worked for a doctor were found dead following an office shooting. The woman accused of being the shooter was recently notified that she was to be shortly fired from her job. The doctor said "Nobody would have predicted this. It's just a tragedy.”
Read Past Editions of The Source
All information contained herein is provided by Employment Background Investigations solely for the convenience of its clients. EBI is not providing legal advice or counsel and nothing provided on this document should be deemed as legal guidance or advice. Readers should consult with their own legal counsel to determine their legal responsibilities or if they have questions on any information provided by EBI.