May 25, 2006
Contents:
1) Workplace Violence Remains a Workplace Threat
2) What The Department of Labor Says...
3) What Is Workplace Violence...
4) What Are The Possible Risk Factors...?
5) Occupational Groups at Greater Risk than others...
6) About Nater Associates, Ltd...
Workplace Violence Remains a Workplace Threat
1) Contrary to the commonly held beliefs by most that, the topic of workplace security is not interesting and if it is, it is not, my problem could not be further from the truth. From all available research and recent studies, Workplace Violence continues to be the number one business security threat facing the workplace today followed by Business Continuity/Business Interruption and Terrorism, says the latest Pinkerton Security Survey. Dr. Robert F. Hester in article entitled: Business Continuity for Small Businesses said,"Safety, security and preparedness aren't routinely a focus in our lives. Being on guard is not something Americans are used to or like doing. Still danger and threat never goes away; only fades in memory."
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2) What The Department of Labor Says...
The U. S. Department of Labor lists the occupations most at risk for murder in the workplace as being taxicab drivers or chauffeurs, gas station attendants, retail clerks, police officers, fast food, and lodging services personnel. I want to illustrate that the threat of violence by non-employees is risk of violent behavior in the workplace we take for granted. The unpredictable workplace related violence occurs by non-employees against employees who work in at risk environments or workplaces. Risk is determined by the number of workers killed in relationship to the number employed in the field. Postal Workers, who get the worst press but now number in the millions, do not appear on the list in any category. While the typical workplace murder is the culmination of either an armed robbery, deranged behaviors of a disgruntled employee or jilted lover of maniacal spouse or partner; violence by non-employees accounts for the unpredictable assaults because of the at risk situations and the opportunity they pose.
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3) What Is Workplace Violence...
In attempting to put violence in the workplace in perspective, Workplace Violence is broader a problem than one assumes it might be and involves an internal and external incident. While I would like to emphasize the threat by the non-employee who commits the assault, robbery, mugging or murder; however, workplace violence is much more, begins a lot earlier and is predictable. For the purpose of defining Workplace Violence, it is any act in which a person is harassed, subjected to verbal abuse and name-calling, threatened, intimidated or assaulted in his or her place of employment. Examples of workplace violence includes but are not limited to shaking a fists at someone, destroying property, throwing objects, and expression or intent to inflict harm, any behavior that demeans, embarrasses, annoys, alarms or verbally abuses another. It also includes swearing, insults and denying someone passage such as blocking or impeding his or her way. It involves hitting, shoving, pushing kicking, biting and other forms of assault. Most think of violence as murder or a violent physical assault. Have you ever been a victim? Did you report the incident?
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4) What Are The Possible Risk Factors...?
Victims of workplace typically work in vulnerable groups who are at greater risk. Such as employees have contact with the public or work in unique settings. While they might become becomes of the external predator, they are potential victims of the internal predator as well. Such employee duties might include working in the following conditions:
* Working alone in or in small numbers
* Working late at night or early morning hours
* Working in high crime areas
* Guarding valuable property or possessions
* Working in a community setting
* Providing service, care, advice, or education
* Working with an unstable or volatile person.
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5) Occupational Groups at Greater Risk than others...
Within certain groups there tend to be some more at risk from workplace violence than others. These groups by virtue of the unique Risk Factors cited are more at risk by the internal and external predator. Special workplace consideration should be undertaken to increase awareness, minimize the risk and reduce personal injury. These groups are:
- health care workers
- correctional officers
- retail employees
- social service employees
- public service workers
- taxi and limousine drivers
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6) About Nater Associates, Ltd...
Nater Associates, Ltd. is a security management consulting practice offering clients an integrated suite of Workplace Violence Prevention and Workplace Security Consulting Products using a common sense approach to security in commercial, private and public settings. Our target industries are facilities, plants, churches, and healthcare.
Please click on this link http://www.naterassociates.com/media/video/nater.html to hear and see my story.
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Contacting Nater Associates, Ltd.
Felix P.Nater, President, 116-03 Parkway Drive, Elmont, New York 11003, Office: 516-285-8484, Fax: 516-285-0880, Toll Free: 1-877-VALU101, Cell phone: 516=946-816, Email: nater@naterassociates.com and Website: www.naterassociates.com
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