What is workplace violence?
Workplace violence is violence or the threat of violence against workers. It can occur at or outside the workplace and can range from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and homicide, one of the leading causes of job-related deaths. However it manifests itself, workplace violence is a growing concern for employers and employees nationwide.
Who is vulnerable?
Some 2 million American workers are victims of workplace violence each year. Workplace violence can strike anywhere, and no one is immune. Some workers, however, are at increased risk. Among them are workers who exchange money with the public; deliver passengers, goods, or services; or work alone or in small groups, during late night or early morning hours, in high-crime areas, or in community settings and homes where they have extensive contact with the public. This group includes health care and social service workers such as visiting nurses, psychiatric evaluators and probation officers; community workers such as gas and water utility employees, phone and cable TV installers, letter carriers, retail workers and taxi drivers.
What can these employers do to help protect their employees?
The best protection employers can offer is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence against or by their employees. The employer should establish a workplace violence prevention program or incorporate the information into an existing accident prevention program, employee handbook or manual of standard operating procedures. It is critical to ensure that all employees know the policy and understand that all claims of workplace violence will be investigated and remedied promptly.
In addition, employers can offer additional protections.
• Provide safety education for employees so they know what conduct is not acceptable.
what to do if they witness or are subjected to workplace violence, and how to protect themselves.
• Secure the workplace and where appropriate to the business, install video surveillance, extra lighting and alarm systems. Minimize access by outsiders through identification badges, electronic keys and guards.
• Provide drop safes to limit the amount of cash on hand. Keep a minimal amount of cash in registers during evenings and late night hours.
• Equip field staff with cellular phones and hand-held alarms or noise devices and require them to prepare a daily work plan and keep a contact person informed of their
location throughout the day. Keep employer provided vehicles properly maintained.
• Instruct employees not to enter any location where they feel unsafe. Introduce a buddy system or provide an escort service or police assistance in potentially dangerous situations or at night.
When a shoplift turns robbery
Most businesses have fallen victim to the occasional shoplifter – and while it can be problematic and troublesome, the last thing you want is for your employee to get seriously injured or even killed while trying to prevent the theft of relatively low value merchandise. All too often, over zealous employees are hospitalized while attempting to restrain a would-be shoplifter. Your best bet is to have employees call 911 and provide the call receiver with a detailed description of the suspect, any vehicles (including license plate numbers) with which they might be associated, and his/her last known direction of travel. It simply isn’t worth the cost of an employee getting seriously physically injured over what usually ends up being charged as a misdemeanor crime.
Citywide business crime statistics
Monthly comparison
• Commercial Burglary
March-2
April-1
May-0
• Trespass
March-1
April-1
May-0
• Robbery
March-0
April-0
May-0
• Vandalism
March-5
April-0
May-5
