Workplace Violence Prevention and Response

Workplace violence can significantly impact the safety and well-being of employees and disrupt the normal operations of any business. For property managers, chief security officers, and security company hiring managers, addressing this concern effectively is not only a matter of ethical responsibility but also a crucial component of operational management. This blog post explores practical approaches to preventing and responding to incidents of workplace violence, with a focus on developing effective policies.

Understanding Workplace Violence

Workplace violence encompasses any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve employees, clients, customers, and visitors.

Types of Workplace Violence

• Criminal Intent: Involving a perpetrator with no legitimate relationship to the business or its employees.

• Customer/Client: Where the perpetrator is a customer or client who becomes violent during interaction.

• Worker-on-Worker: Incidents that involve at least one agency employee assaulting another.

• Personal Relationship: When someone with whom an employee has a personal relationship becomes violent while at the workplace.

Developing a Prevention Policy

A solid workplace violence prevention policy is foundational to ensuring a safe environment. Here’s how to develop one:

Key Elements of a Workplace Violence Policy

• Clear Definitions: Specify what constitutes workplace violence, including examples of both physical and non-physical violence.

• Reporting Procedures: Outline a clear process for reporting violence or threats, ensuring confidentiality to encourage reporting.

• Response Strategies: Detail the organization's steps to respond to reported incidents.

• Support Systems: Include information on counseling and support services available to victims of workplace violence.

Implementation Steps

• Assess the Risk: Identify potential hazards and situations that might lead to violence.

• Engage Employees: Involve employees in policy formulation to ensure their insights and compliance.

• Train Staff: Conduct training sessions to educate staff about the signs of potential violence and how to respond appropriately.

• Review and Update: Regularly review and update the policy to reflect new insights or changes in the work environment.

Response Strategies to Incidents

When an incident occurs, having a response plan in place is crucial. Here’s what effective response strategies look like:

Immediate Response

• Ensure Safety: First and foremost, ensure the safety of employees and other individuals present.

• Contact Authorities: If the situation warrants, contact local law enforcement immediately.

• Provide Support: Offer immediate support to those affected, including medical care and psychological support.

Post-Incident Handling

• Investigation: Conduct a thorough investigation to understand what happened and why.

• Review Policy: Use the insights gained to improve safety measures and policy.

• Ongoing Support: Continue to provide support to affected individuals.

Role of Technology in Managing Workplace Violence

Leveraging technology can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your workplace violence prevention and response strategies. Here are a few technologies that can help:

• Surveillance Systems: Use CCTV and other surveillance technology to monitor and record activities within the workplace.

• Access Controls: Implement badge systems or biometric access to restrict entry to sensitive areas.

• Emergency Notification Systems: Employ mass notification systems to alert employees quickly in case of an emergency.