Workplace Violence
“And who has not thought that the impersonal world deserves no better than to be destroyed by one fabulous sign of his displeasure?”
(J. Bronowski, The Face of Violence)
Workplace violence has become a concern for both public and private companies, and has prompted these companies to implement anti-violence programs.
As well they should, for the Bureau of Justice Statistics shows in their Special Report on Workplace Violence, researched by Dr. Greg Warchol , that in each year for the period of 1992 – 96 more than 2.2 million residents were victims of violent acts while they were working or on duty. (BJS Special Report, July 1998, NCJ 168634)
The most common violent act committed was simple assault with an
…show more content…
These figures do not take into account battering that is unreported to employers due to the absence of guaranteed protection and counseling. The total effect and extent of domestic overspill is yet to be recognized.
3.) Changing workplace demographics. Growing ethnic, linguistic, cultural and gender diversity is likely to foster inter-group tension. One factor is the accelerating pace of immigration. The percentage of the foreign born in the U.S. population has doubled since 1970 and now stands at the highest rate in almost 60 years 98.7percent). In heavily impacted regions, the proportion is much higher: nearly 25 percent of Californians for example were born outside the U.S. This phenomenon is radically altering the demographics of the workplace and increasing the risk of pervasive inter-group tension in the workplace.
Since conflict among employees may erupt in violence companies need to address the causes. Companies need to put in place prevention plan and policies for dealing with incidents of workplace violence.
In addressing the occurrence of violence in the public sector, Tacoma School District has implemented two curriculums that help teach violence prevention. Get Real About Violence, developed by Comprehensive Health Education Foundation,
A lot of companies today are committed towards building an environment that is conducive to all its employees to work in. They say that the success of a workplace violence and horseplay prevention program depends to a large extent on the executive committee set up to establish and oversee the programs. The group's duties are to formulate policies that define workplace violence, and to determine consequences and punishments. This is in their struggle to make sure that they maximize resources and that the company heads towards its set goals. Such an environment can only be achieved by get rid of all forms of violence and horseplay in the work place. This is because such vices only eat in to a lot of the employee’s time and create bad relationships
We can do more to deter workplace violence. Going onward, I urge that you take the time and study the Canadian Labor Report Handbook Guide to Violence Prevention in the Workplace at http://www.labour.gc.ca/eng/health_safety/pubs_hs/workplace.shtml and also consider technical assistance, consultation from no-cost government services or SHRM resources so that we remain up-to-date on and adopt current best practices for workplace violence prevention and implement a policy.
Harassment has plagued the world for centuries. Why should the workplace be any different? Sexual harassment and workplace violence are not only of historical roots, but contemporary issues are still present in the workforce today. Managers are addressing and combating modern sexual harassment and workplace violence, however instances still occur (Robbins, Decenzo & Coulter, 2011).
Workplace violence has existed throughout history. However, historical documentation of workplace violence is vague and sometimes non-existent. Documented workplace violence is believed to have existed during the Roman Empire, the Renaissance Era, and it continues today. It seems unfortunate, but as long as a “society” exists, workplace violence will more than likely exist. Therefore, employers must understand: the history of workplace violence, the effects it has on the organization, the reasons why it occurs, the warning signs, and ways to prevent it from occurring. Most importantly, it is the responsibility of the Manager, to not only understand workplace violence, but to ensure that all employees
Recently, a number of researchers have included sexual harassment behaviours in their definitions of workplace violence and aggression.
Workplace violence is the main issue in the United States expressed influencing a large number of American consistently. Working environment violence is any demonstration or danger of physical savagery, provocation, terrorizing, or other undermining problematic conduct that happens at the work site. It ranges from dangers and verbal mishandle to physical ambushes and even murder. It can influence and include workers, customers, nurses, patient, clients, and guests. Workplace violence can be discovered anywhere in every field we may accept the fact that it can happen in our workplace too, but the fewer people speak which is encouraging these criminals to prepare of making more atrocity. The occupational safety and health organization (OSHA) have created rules and suggestions to decrease laborer presentation to this deplorable scourge but still many people are being victimized their hands are tied up mouths are taped out to face the reality of what they are living through (OSHA 2015). OSHA’s paradigm incorporates the following elements: management commitment and employee involvement, hazard analysis or assessment, hazard controls, employee training, and recordkeeping and evaluation (McPhaul, London, & Lipscomb, 2013). As mentioned, these elements are basic guidelines in constructing a program, but more specific measures are needed to address specific precursors that contribute to the occurrence of violence and bullying. This would assist in forming the best strategies to remedy workplace violence and incivility.
The goal of this research was to determine the impact that the implementation of a workplace violence presentation program had on violence rates in the VA health care system. Over the years, the Veterans Health Care Administration has implemented many strategies to make work environments safer, including a workplace violence prevention program. Using their previously set-up reporting system, researchers were able to determine the number of assaults in the past 6 fiscal years (2003-2009) as well as the current rates of assault in their facilities. Using an evaluation team of three members from each
Developing a plan of action to defuse an individual immediately upon hearing about the violent behaviors. Zero Tolerance policy is key in prohibiting any kind of violence or threat and to advise termination for any acts of violence. Employees need to be notified of the policy and employers should make sure that they review the policy and sign to acknowledge it. Training should also be implemented in order to teach supervisors and employees in detection, reporting, and prevention of workplace violence. “It is important to instill a sense of responsibility in employees for preventing violence, and teach them to recognize the signs of potential or actual violence and to take appropriate action such as defusing or reporting it” (http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/labor_law/meetings/2008/ac2008/056.authcheckdam.pdf). Threat assessment team is another option in decreasing workplace violence by including an individual from human resources, security, EEO, decision-makers management, and unions. The team evaluates the risk of an individual, implement a confidential reporting center for complaints of workplace violence, and encourage employees to report incidents.
Making people aware that there is a problem with workplace violence and there is a need for change.
Boyle, M. J., & Wallis, J. (2016, May 16). Working towards a definition for workplace violence actions in the health sector. Retrieved April 03, 2017, from https://safetyinhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40886-016-0015-8
Unfortunately, workplace violence is all too familiar for most these days. Most think of violence as some sort of physical altercation. However, it’s not only physical, but includes threatening and endangering behavior towards one, or a group of employees. In fact, you may be surprised by some of the actions that are included in workplace violence. Some that you may not think of, but they include and are not limited to: harassment, intimidation, extortion and threats. Obviously, things like assault, kidnapping, homicide, etc… Nearly two million people are involved or victims of workplace violence every year. In the United States, violence is measured with fatal and non-fatal statistics. Violence has surpassed accidental death as the leading
Safety is a default task that is always operational. Safety is a primary consideration throughout crisis intervention for reasons that are both physically and psychologically based (James & Gilliland, 2013). Institutions play a large part in treatment and may be viewed as an equal and contributing partner in resolving problems with clients disposed to becoming physically and verbally assaultive (James & Gilliland, 2013). The five main components of any effective safety and health program also apply to the prevention of workplace violence. These components are management commitment and employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, safety and health training, and record keeping and program evaluation (Occupational Safety
Workplace violence is a serious and growing issue in society. Employers need to develop intervention strategies to decrease reduce violence in the workplace. Also, employers and employees need to be aware of the signs when people exhibit behaviors that can lead to workplace violence. As a society, the issue needs to be acknowledged of the reality and work together for creating a solution. Lastly, employers and employees must not live in fear of addressing concerns if they see the potential for workplace violence or report when they witness or experience workplace violence.
Violence in our schools is an issue that has become more prominent in the last few years. News articles about violent deeds within the school setting are on the increase. Our society demands that schools are safe for our children. In order to maintain a peaceful environment for all, we must address and inform our schools, children, and parents as well as the neighboring communities about the issue of school violence. As David W. Johnson, the author of Reducing School Violence states, “To eliminate violence and resolve destructive conflicts, schools must first admit that such conflicts are out of control.” (Johnson 7) Schools in general must identify with these issues in order to deal with them.
School violence, in recent history, seems to have taken the United States by storm. Be it a shooting, such as the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, the inappropriate relationships between teacher and student, such as Stephanie Figueroa whom initiated one such relationship with her 11-year-old karate student, or the multiple fights we see on social media that take place in schools. With each passing week, we see a new story that falls in one of these categories. Today, we look at the types of, causes of and how to prevent violence in what should be a safe place and second home for our youth.