WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM

Workplace Violence Prevention Program

Workplace Violence Prevention Program

Introduction

In this report I being a CEO of my own company, have to develop a workplace violence prevention program to promote a safe working environment of my organization. Workplace and violence two words that until maybe ten years ago were never associated with one another. Yet when these words come together they strike terror in the lives of the people that are affected by them. Workplace, when we think of this word we think of a safe environment where we go to make to our lives better, a place to make careers for ourselves.

Workplace Violence Prevention Program

I think that my workplace is supposed to provide security for the employees families and to help to one day achieve the goal of financial freedom. Violence, when we hear this word images pop up in our head like the Jerry Springer Show, the Oklahoma City Bombing, or the latest act of violence to shock our nation, September 11, 2001. (Reh, 2006, 12) These images are stuck in our minds forever; the shear horror of these acts puts us back into perspective of reality. Violence is a very real almost unpredictable event that can strike anywhere at anytime. It is the driving force that plagues our workplace as we speak.

At my organization, workplace violence is turning into a number one priority for today's businesses. "On an average working day, three people will be murdered on the job in the U.S. One million workers are assaulted and more than 1,000 are murdered every year, according to the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Homicide is the second highest cause of death on the job, after motor vehicle accidents. That translates into three cases for every 10,000 workers, confirms the U.S. Department of Labor. In 1992, 111,000 incidents of work-place violence cost employers and others an estimated $6.2 million" (Reh, 2006, 12).

The statistics are shocking for the amount of workplace violence that is out there everyday in our workforce. Even more shocking then these statistics is the fact that more than half of these cases go unreported. That means an estimated two million workers are assaulted every year and more than 2,000 people are murdered.

Many people in the workforce think it will never happen to them. The fact of the matter is that the people that commit these acts are more common then some people think. "Author Joseph Kinney contends that perpetrators of work-place violence do not fit a standard profile. He advises to focus behavior, not characteristics. However based on previous acts of violence, some experts have identified 'warning symptoms'. These include: middle-aged male, loner, usually quiet, with defiant outbursts, emotionally unstable; erratic behavior, pathological blamer or complainer, always frustrated strained work relationships, reduced productivity, ignores tardiness or absences, undergoes a dramatic personality swing, changes in health of hygiene, feels victimized, makes threats, fascination with weapons, exhibits paranoia, seems depressed, is a 'Hate Group' member, dependence on alcohol or drugs, is involved in ...