JBM Consulting
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Signs and what do about Workplace ViolenceAugust 2010
Greetings!

The current economic climate adding stress to so many lives adds the liklihood of extreme stress and reactions that go with it.  If there is any threat of losing a job or additional frustrations with co workers and/or supervisors, anger can kick in to those prone to handling situations in a more aggresive manner.
 
 
Be alert to warning signs of potential violence....
Potential Triggers to Violence
  • Someone is recently laid off or fears loss of job
  • Employee who receives a less than stellar performance evaluation regarding their behavior or performance
  • Hostile relationships exist with other employees
  • An employee who believes they are not treated fairly
  • A promotional opportunity was not achieved
  • Raises are not as they hoped 
 
Some signs of potential violence in individual behavior....Some Actions to take to reduce such violent potential
Signs of Violence 
  • Person who intimidates others
  • Use of abusive language
  • Easily angers
  • Talks about weapons they own and bring to work
  • Blames problems on others
  • Holds grudges
  • Talks about violent crimes
  • Has a drug/alcohol abuse problem
  • Suffers from extreme stress
  • Has extreme mood swings
  • Has a history of anger/violence
 
Take Action
  • Follow your safety procedures and rules
  • Report direct threats of violence or retaliation to someone that can handle it properly and immediately
  • Treat employees with respect and follow your policies
  • Watch for problems of a person's behavior getting worse
  • Personal problems do come into the workplace, see if you have opportunity to help
  • If you have an Employee Assistance Program, ....be sure to market it and encourage employees to use it
  • Should you need to terminate someone, have another person with you
  • Be sure to get keys, passes, ID and other company property before they leave
  • Change door codes and locks if necessary
 
Training employees to notice it and report violent behavior or tendencies is important to prevent violence. 
 
Should you find conflicts in the workplace and individual signs mentioned above, it is important to get to the cause of such behavior.  Ignorning it will not make it go away.  Should you need assistance with this...call or email me..
 
Wishing you all good things always!
Jeannine Brown Miller
JBM Consulting
716-946-8381