| Women face a greater likelihood of encountering | | | | in the event that the person would show up at work. |
| workplace violence than men.Workplace violence | | | | Your friend can be temporarily re-assigned at the |
| victim: Anyone who has been injured, harmed, or | | | | facility. The management and the security are |
| who has suffered in some way due to acts of | | | | prepared just in case of an incident. As a result of |
| another while on the job or due to job related | | | | your actions no lives were lost, including your |
| factors.Victims are not only those who are the direct | | | | own.When and How to Respond |
| targets of a violent act. They may also be those | | | | Often intervention is not necessary. If you notice a |
| who innocently witness the act. For example, | | | | co-worker who is frustrated or upset, simply asking if |
| someone who witnesses a verbal or physical attack | | | | they are alright ad offering a listening ear can be |
| on a co-worker may suffer emotionally, mentally or | | | | enough to diffuse the situation. Taking a genuine |
| physically as a result of what they saw. Victims may | | | | interest in those with whom you work promotes |
| also be the unfortunate innocent person who is just | | | | good moral in your workplace.Signs of Escalation for |
| at the wrong place at the wrong time.Types of | | | | an EmployeeIs abusing alcohol or drugsHas suffered |
| violence: Among the types of violent acts committed | | | | family trauma such as divorce or deathLost pay or |
| in the workplace, the following are the most | | | | benefitsFeels unimportantHas suffered financial |
| common:HittingSqueezingPinchingScratchingTwisting of | | | | lossHas an unresolved grievance at work (perceives it |
| limbsBitingShootingStabbingStalkingProperty | | | | is being ignored)Is having marital or domestic violence |
| damageRapeThese are very traumatic experiences | | | | problemIs suffering from depressionMakes comments |
| for the victims. According to the National Institute for | | | | regarding their work being unappreciatedFeels |
| Occupational Safety and Health, the above listed | | | | alienated by a manager or supervisorAs you observe |
| incidents resulted in victims taking 3-30 days off of | | | | an increasing number of warning signs in a co-worker |
| work. The violent episode impacts virtually every | | | | or an employee, it should signal a greater need for |
| aspect of the victim's life. Because of the | | | | caution, vigilance, and intervention. It is not necessary |
| far-reaching effect on every aspect of the | | | | to judge the motives of an employee or co-worker. |
| workplace, the problem must not be taken lightly. | | | | Just write down what you observe.Warning Signs |
| Domestic disputes are increasingly becoming a factor | | | | If you observe an increasing number of these signs |
| in workplace violence because the partner is easy to | | | | in a co-worker, vender, or visitor, the problem must |
| locate at work... | | | | be addressed immediately. Contact your Supervisor, |
| Domestic Violence and Other Factors | | | | Human Resource, or Security. If not, the likelihood |
| Domestic disputes have become an important factor | | | | increases and the behavior may escalate to a violent |
| in workplace violence incidents. An angry spouse or | | | | incident.Direct threatsAngry outburstsBeing verbally |
| significant other may come to the workplace | | | | abusiveMaking serious threatsTalking about harming a |
| because his/her partner is easy to find there. And | | | | spouse or co-workerObsession with violenceVeiled |
| often when a spouse is served with divorce papers | | | | threatsChemical/alcohol abuseSerious financial |
| or a court order of protection they are more likely to | | | | problems cant seem to concentrateBlaming other |
| attempt to go to the workplace and confront the | | | | consistentlyParanoiaExtreme withdrawalIncreased |
| employee. And these violent incidents often affect | | | | personal stressIntimidation of othersReckless |
| and involve other innocent victims.Unique phenomena | | | | increased accidentsIncrease of the above mentioned |
| are the growing numbers of workers who tend to | | | | behaviorsFurther Signs To WatchBoundary crossing. |
| define who they are by their jobs. This presents | | | | They tend to push the limits of acceptable behavior |
| challenges for you as the employer when conducting | | | | and they continue to test the established |
| reviews. Since the review or appraisal is part of your | | | | rules.Inconsistent work patterns and attendance |
| company process, an employee may view this as a | | | | problems. This is very common with alcohol and drug |
| personal judgment and feel angry or resentful.And an | | | | abuse. You'll also notice swings of either very high or |
| employee who is unexpectedly fired may seek | | | | very low productivity.Personality disorders. Their |
| revenge upon those who terminated them. Some | | | | behavior has changed. They will become abusive and |
| employees return months or years later to seek | | | | they will justify their behavior. They are manipulative, |
| revenge.Societal Factors | | | | preoccupied with themselves, argumentative, and will |
| Much of what we all see in the media today is | | | | show signs of dramatic mood swings.Pathological |
| violent in nature. The underlying message seems to | | | | blamers. They just will not take responsibility for their |
| imply approval of violence in our society. | | | | own behavior. Notice if they say things like "They're |
| Weapons are also more available than in recent | | | | out to get me" or when they blame someone else |
| years. And drugs and alcohol play a role in violent | | | | for something they did. |
| situations.As violent acts become commonplace, | | | | Common Mistakes |
| society becomes desensitized to the violence. And | | | | Tolerance of violent behavior only leads to increased |
| violence becomes more acceptable. This impacts | | | | violence. Some common mistakes co-workers make |
| everyone at work, in the community, and the home. | | | | are:Ignore aggressive behaviorNot wanting to get |
| It then becomes the responsibility of every worker | | | | involvedCovering up to protect a friendFailure to |
| to help prevent violence in the workplace where | | | | report aggressive behavior to |
| possible. Tolerance of violence leads to an increase of | | | | managementConsistently attempt to deal with the |
| violence. | | | | situation aloneDomestic Violence Victim Resource |
| According to the National Institute of Safety | | | | GuideVictims's Responsibilities:Report all incidents that |
| employees at risk for violence in the workplace | | | | occur to the police.Follow through wit the State's |
| include:Delivering goods and servicesWorking late or | | | | Attorney's Office.Seek an order of protection which |
| early morning hoursWorking aloneGuarding valuable | | | | prohibits the offender from continuing their |
| property and goodsDealing with violent or volatile | | | | behavior.Do not initiate any further contact with the |
| situationsThose employees with the most frequent | | | | person, unless advised to do so by legal counsel, |
| interaction with the public are those who experience | | | | police, or other appropriate support personnel |
| the highest incidence of workplace violence. | | | | organization/agency.Advise your employer, security |
| Remember that it can happen anywhere, in any | | | | and human resource of all incidents that occur at the |
| workplace at any time. Having a greater knowledge is | | | | workplace.If you have obtained an order of |
| a successful tool in dealing with workplace | | | | protection, give a copy to security, human resources, |
| violence.Common Traits of a Perpetrator are:Easily | | | | and your immediate supervisor along with a recent |
| frustratedAnti-social behaviorVery DefensiveHas low | | | | photo, if possible.Always keep a copy of your order |
| self-esteemNot adaptableConsistently avoids | | | | of protection papers with you at all times.Victim's |
| blameHolds grudgesLacks self controlHistory of | | | | Safety:Let someone close to you, a friend, relative, |
| substance abuseAbusive to animalsSuspicious of | | | | or co-worker know everything about what is |
| othersHistory of family problemsThis list suggests | | | | happening.Advise someone at all times of your |
| common traits of those who are or can become | | | | schedule, and if your plans change.Whenever possible, |
| violent in the workplace.Pattern of escalation:No two | | | | alternate your daily routine(s). Don't leave for work |
| situations will be the same. The following sequence | | | | at the usual time, if you have children make |
| will provide an example of a common pattern:1. Some | | | | arrangements to have others you trust pick them up. |
| sort of trauma is suffered. This may be:A single | | | | Park your vehicle in a well-lit area.Always have your |
| traumatic event at home or workA series of minor | | | | car keys in your hand as you approach your vehicle.If |
| events2. Blame is placed on the situation, rather than | | | | possible have someone with you when you are |
| taking personal responsibility.3. Believes the problem is | | | | leaving work.Consider changing your telephone |
| unsolvable.4. Increased social withdrawal. Attention | | | | number.Additional Suggestions:Keep a log of all |
| becomes focused on self and situation.5. Belief that a | | | | threatening and harassing phone callsConsider |
| violent act is the only way out of the problem.6. The | | | | obtaining a Caller ID and/or call back feature *69) on |
| violent act is attempted or committed.While violent | | | | your home phone.Check into other features |
| behavior is not always a result of these factors, | | | | Ameritech offers in your area.Consider installing a |
| caution is warranted when these factors are | | | | home alarm security system.Change the locks in your |
| observed.Being Part of the Solution | | | | home.Consider installing additional lighting on the |
| Often the first question that comes to mind is why | | | | outside of your home.Gather important documents |
| should I do something about it? As a co-worker, | | | | such as lease, rental agreements, house deed, |
| friend, or associate, it may save a life. You may feel | | | | Mortgage payment book, birth certificate(s), bank |
| helpless or that nothing you could possibly do will | | | | check books, credit cards, medical records, insurance |
| make one bit of difference, but you are wrong.Let's | | | | documents, etc. And keep these items together or |
| say that a co-worker tells you in confidence that | | | | give them to someone you trust for |
| because of the abuse in their marriage they are | | | | safekeeping.website: |
| finally ready to have their partner served as well as | | | | website blog and resource: |
| obtain an order of protection. You know that your | | | | Email address: Susan Murphy-Milano, respected |
| friend's partner has a history of violence, and you are | | | | author and nationally recognized workplace violence |
| trying to be supportive and keep your friend's secret. | | | | and relationship expert, has been a tireless advocate |
| This is a mistake. First, encourage your friend to tell | | | | for all types of violence. In January of 1989, Susan's |
| their supervisor or someone in Human Resources and | | | | father, a Chicago Violent Crimes Detective, murdered |
| or security.Her partner may become so angry that he | | | | her mother and then took his own life. In 1993 she |
| storms his way into your workplace with a weapon | | | | was instrumental in the passage of the Illinois Stalking |
| and harms others. Perhaps a hostage situation takes | | | | law. Susan's quest for justice has been trumpted |
| place. As a result seven people died and nine were | | | | across the pages of newspapers, magazine, radio and |
| injured because you kept silent.Now, let's say you | | | | television. She is the author of "Moving Out Moving |
| encourage your friend to tell a supervisor or security | | | | On" when a relationship goes wrong and "Defending |
| person prior to either filing the court documents or | | | | Our Lives" getting away from domestic violence & |
| when they return back to work, a safety plan can | | | | staying safe (doubleday). She is a sought after |
| be implemented immediately. For instance photos of | | | | speaker and her publications and books appear |
| the person can be distributed to all the entranceways | | | | across the globe. |