To prevent violence in the workplace, managers should:
• Be able to define workplace violence. There are three types: stranger violence (someone walks into a grocery store and shoots the merchant), client-related violence (an angry father shoots his attorney when he loses custody of his child) and employee violence (not only committed by staff, but by contractors, cleaning staff or even workers' spouses).
• Understand the breadth of the problem. It could be someone running a key down the length of a co-worker's car. In one case, an employee put a firm's calling cards on the Internet. When the FBI investigated, it learned the perpetrator had plans to kill the CEO.
• Be familiar with the company's violence-prevention policy. Most people don't even know where to find it.
• Be prepared to take immediate action when violence occurs.
• Know the concepts of prevention: civility; defusing difficult or dangerous people. Many colleges offer courses in this area.
• Have layman's understanding of civil liability. Know how to avoid getting sued for negligence in case violence occurs, and understand the basic standard of care. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration states that employers must provide "a safe and healthful work environment for all workers."
Copyright © 2001 IDG Communications, Inc.
