Workplace Violence News

Bad bosses beware

Ross Arrowsmith — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:53:26 +0000

By Jessica Lussenhop Joe Henry hated his boss so much, he would’ve preferred his old Army drill sergeant. “A drill sergeant is consistently one way,” he says. “You know you’re going to get yelled at no matter what.” Henry, a barrel-chested man with military posture, joined the Army at age 18 and deployed with one …

ON: Harassment in the workplace: limitations on an employer’s responsibilities

Ross Arrowsmith — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:21:45 +0000

By Lyndsay A. Wasser The recent introduction of requirements for policies and procedures relating to harassment and workplace violence in Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) has increased the regulatory workload on employers. However, a recent decision by the Ontario Labour Relations Board (the “Board”) appears to limit to some extent the scope of …

Workplace bullying: When HR is the target

Helen Jensen — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00:47 +0000

By The HR Specialist Ever feel like you’re the unofficial “shock absorber” in your organization, soaking up the complaints and abuse from all corners of the workplace? A recent study says many HR professionals serve such a role—and they’re paying a heavy price for it. More than one-third of HR professionals say they’re bullied by …

Risk of violence in federal workplace examined

Helen Jensen — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:00:09 +0000

By Eric Yoder All federal government organizations are potentially at risk for workplace violence, not just those in high-crime areas or dealing with potentially violent members of the public, according to an agency studying the issue. The Merit Systems Protection Board has released preliminary findings of a study it launched after release of statistics showing …

Workplace violence mitigated by emergency communications plan

Ross Arrowsmith — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:30:43 +0000

By Matt Dunning With a well-organized, comprehensive emergency communications plan, mid-market companies can significantly reduce the risk of long-term physical, emotional and financial fallout resulting from a violent incident in the workplace, security and risk management experts say. Conversely, failing to develop communication protocols can inflict additional damage on a company. To bolster a company’s …

Workplace Violence and Personal Injury

Ross Arrowsmith — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:53:54 +0000

Harassment and violence in the workplace is a form of abuse and bullying that goes largely unnoticed in this country. Despite the fact that it is not talked of often, the U.S. Department of Labor estimated that roughly 2,000,000 Americans are victims of workplace violence each year. However, not all incidents of workplace violence constitute …

Survey Reveals how Employers Manage Workplace Violence Incidents

Ross Arrowsmith — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:44:56 +0000

According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Survey Findings: Workplace Violence, published on February 29, 2012, more than one third of organizations reported that they have experienced violence or threats of violence in their organization. Therefore, it is critical that all employers understand the risks of workplace violence and potential responses to these …

Beyond the Bully and the Bullied: Bullying Also Impacts the Mental Health of the “Bystanders”

Helen Jensen — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:00:18 +0000

Although not everyone may be a victim of bullying or a bully themselves, people oftentimes overlook the third person involved in a bullying situation: the witness or bystander. Research suggests that approximately two out of every three children have witnessed bullying, and with the advent of cyberbullying, that number continues to grow rapidly. The bystander …

Taking Aim At Workplace Violence

Ross Arrowsmith — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:24:07 +0000

By Edward Boehm A recent shooting death in Long Beach, California, has placed the issue of workplace violence back on employers’ radar-screens. On February 16, a federal immigration agent was shot and killed by a coworker while at the workplace. The shooting occurred after a counseling session escalated into a physical confrontation and then turned …

Enterprise Mobile Duress: A Mobile ‘Panic Button’ for Healthcare Providers

Helen Jensen — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:00:59 +0000

By Carlton Purvis Last fall, the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) released data from an ongoing survey aimed at assessing the prevalence of violence against emergency room nurses [1]. The study surveyed more than 7,000 nurses nationwide. Thirteen percent of nurses surveyed reported experiencing physical violence in past seven days. More than three-quarters (82 percent) of …