Workplace Violence

Workplace Violence
Case Study 1

Workplace violence
Problem definition
Workplace violence is any act of physical violence, threats of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening, disruptive behavior. 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. Workplace violence can affect or involve employees, visitors, contractors, and other non-Federal employees.
Justification for problem definition
There are many factors causing workplace violence; at an individual level, within a given population,
List of alternative course of action The attacker usually fits into one of the following categories: a staff member, a client or customer, or a third party or visitor from outside the organization. The following traits generally describe the victim of workplace violence: * Wearing a uniform which is perceived very negatively by the attacker. * Affected by the stress of overwork or certain light forms of mental illness leading to misunderstanding or misinterpretation on the part of the person who is attacked. * Lack of experience in resolvinge difficult problems at work. * Women are more likely than men to be victims of violence but respond less aggressively; also more prone are personality types that tend to be demonstrative, expansive, less flexible or less diplomatic, as opposed to the kind of person who tends to be self-effacing in difficult or delicate situations in the
* Secure the workplace. Where appropriate to the business, install video surveillance, extra lighting, and alarm systems and 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. * Develop policies and procedures covering visits by home health-care providers. Address the conduct of home visits, the presence of others in the home during visits, and the worker’s right to refuse to provide services in a clearly hazardous