Building A Safe Workplace: Preventing Workplace Violence A Workshop for Managers

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Building A Safe WorkplacePreventing Workplace
Violence Employee Training
and The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Program Objectives
1. Participants will understand the mutual
responsibility of employer and employee to
maintain a safe place to work. 2. Participants
will be able to identify workplace situations
which may be potentially violent. 3.
Participants will recognize the warning signs
for potential workplace violence. 4.
Participants will learn how to respond to actual
or potentially violent workplace situations.
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Employer Responsibility
The Commonwealth is committed to
providing a safe work environment.
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Employee Responsibility

• All employees are responsible for making and
  reporting observations and taking measures which
  help to facilitate and ensure a secure workplace
  which is free from threats of violence.

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Definitions

• Workplace Violence
• Assault
• Domestic
• violence
• Intimidating or
• harassing behavior
• -Psychological
• intimidation or
• harassment
• -Physical intimidation
• or harassment
• Threat
• SEAP

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Types of Violent Episodes
? Stranger Violence ? Client
Violence ? Employee Violence ? Domestic
Violence
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Domestic Violence

• Domestic violence accounts for 27
• of all workplace violence
• Early warning signs include
• increased fear
• emotional episodes
• physical injury
• phone calls
• performance decline

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If You Know a Victim ofDomestic Violence...
Ask Express concern Listen Offer
help Support
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Continuum of Violence

• Early on in the process there may be
• Refusal to cooperate
• Rumors and gossip
• Arguing
• Belligerence
• Swearing
• Sexual comments
• As feelings grow there may be
• Increasing arguments
• Refusal
• Sabotaging
• Threats to self/ others
• Sending sexual, violent,
  or inappropriate
  notes
• Stalking
• As behavior escalates there may be
• Threatening/attempting/ committing suicide
• Physical fights
• Destruction of property
• Criminal activity

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What to Watch For
Everyone has his or her own normal behavior.
Be a good observer of unusual behavior,
routine, and changes from the usual.
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Warning Signs

• History of violence
• Mental illness
• A romantic obsession
• Chemical dependency
• Chronic blaming
• Impaired neurological functioning
• Increased frustration with ones circumstances
• Fascination with weapons
• Threats of revenge
• Absence of emotional control

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Triggers of Workplace Violence

• Domestic disputes
• Job performance counseling or disciplinary action
• Job stress
• Harassment
• Racial, ethnic, cultural, gender or lifestyle
  conflicts
• Furloughs
• Terminations

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Possible Motivations
Individuals exhibiting violent behavior may have
the following motivations

• Face-saving
• Attention-seeking
• Manipulating
• Retaliating

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Assault Cycle
First A traumatic experience
Second Projection of responsibility
externalization of blame Third Self-protection
and self-preservation Fourth Internal
conflict followed by committing or attempting to
commit violence
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Avoiding Victimization

• Be alert.
• Avoid unnecessary risks.
• Always have a plan.
• Let someone know where
• you are.
• Report any potential or
• actual incidents to your
• supervisor.

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Agency Workplace Violence Coordinator

• Purpose
• Assess
• Prevent
• Implement
• Communicate
• Recommend/ implement training Workplace
  hazard assessment
• Trauma Team.

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How to Address Violence

• Early Warning Signs
• When the Situation Has Escalated
• In an Emergency

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Addressing Potential Violence
Employees have a responsibility to maintain a
safe workplace. We recommend the following
process to assist employees in addressing
uncomfortable situations
-Think before you act. -Assess your
feelings. -Describe behavior observed. -Assess
behavior. -Determine whether you need
assistance. -Report the threat/behavior
to your
supervisor.



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Responding to a Threat During a Confrontation
When in physical jeopardy,seek safety and call
law enforcement as soon as possible.

• Remain calm.
• Try not to escalate the situation.
• Establish an escape route.
• Involve witnesses.
• Activate response plan.
• Give your full attention.
• Restate/validate their concerns.
• Ask for their suggestions.
• Let them know what you can do.
• Follow through.

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Preparing to Deal With Violence
Aggressive Behavior Bomb Threats Telephone
Threats Mail Packages
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The Obligation to Report Incidents

• Employees are to report any workplace situation
  which may contribute to the occurrence of
  violence to their supervisor in accordance with
  agency policy.
• Supervisors are to take appropriate action and
  report back to the employee in a timely manner.