Workplace Violence
Sterling Police Department
Workplace violence has become a growing problem in recent years. This webpage is dedicated to increasing awareness about workplace violence and to decreasing incidents of violence in the workplace.
National Crisis Prevention Institute, Inc.
(800)-558-8976
http://www.crisisprevention.com
This is an overview. For further, more in depth information on workplace violence, please click here.
Statistics
- Workplace homicide is the fastest growing type of homicide; there are more than 2 million workplace assaults in the U.S. every year. There are 16 million workers who are harassed and 6 million who are threatened.
- A study estimated that for every five workplace violence incidents that occur, only one is reported.
- The rate at which supervisors are murdered at work has doubled since 1985.
- The U.S. Dept. of Justice found that 1 out of every 6 crimes occurs at work.
- In 1993, there were 110,000 reported incidents of violence in U.S. workplaces, causing 750,000 deaths and costing employers $4.2 billion.
High Risk Employees
- Staff who tend to act on the basis of their emotions.
- Staff who do not think about consequences to actions.
- Staff who focus only on their own needs.
- Staff who have an inflexible approach to life.
- Staff who behave in passive-aggressive ways.
- Staff who avoid reality, lie and deceive.
- Staff whose behavior and performance change.
Indicators That a Situation May Become Violent
- A person gets red in the face, starts to shake, clenches a fist, can’t sit still.
- A person invades your personal space, becomes “pumped up” and stares at you.
- A person uses overt or veiled threats, finger pointing, menacing looks.
- A person speaks disjointedly, mumbles to self, looks around in searching manner.
- If you notice any of these indicators, carefully pull away and immediately notify a supervisor, human resources, security or police.
Confronting Aggressive Behavior
- Ask yourself if confronting is the best choice.
- If so, where do you confront?
- Start with an “I” ownership statement.
- Describe specific behaviors, not general attitudes.
- Acknowledge, don’t argue.
- Request specific behavior changes.
De-Escalating a Potentially Explosive Situation
- Ask for a time out to allow everyone to re-group.
- Invite the person to follow you to another safer place.
- Keep your voice level calm, low and in control.
- Do not become argumentative.
- Regardless of how distorted the person’s view, acknowledge it.
- Do not try to reason when others are out of control.
- Take long, deep breaths to calm yourself down.
- Focus on listening; acknowledge the person’s strong feelings.
- Assure others that you would like to find a solution.
- Repeatedly reassure others that there is a way to work this out.
Coping with Threats and Violence
For angry or hostile customer or co-worker:
- Stay calm, listen attentively.
- Maintain eye contact.
- Be courteous and patient.
- Keep the situation in your control.
- Offer suggestions and solutions.
- Get supervisor to find solutions.
- Signal co-worker or supervisor (code words).
- Do not make calls yourself; stay focused on the person.
For someone threatening with a gun, knife or other weapon:
- Stay calm, signal quietly for help (code words).
- Maintain eye contact.
- Stall for time; ask questions.
- Keep talking, but follow instructions from assailant.
- Don’t risk harm to yourself or others.
- Don’t try to be a hero; this could be more risky.
- Never try to grab a weapon.
- Watch for a chance to escape to a safer place.