WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTIVE PROGRAM

Workplace Violence Preventive Program

Workplace Violence Preventive Program

This paper presents a workplace violence prevention program for an organization that has been marred by frequent complaints of hostile working environment.

Introduction

Defining “workplace” is also difficult. Workplaces include not only offices or factories but also homes of clients. Basically, any incident of violence while working or on duty is an incident of workplace violence. Another issue is the inclusion of incidents that occur in the workplace but are not related to the victim's work (Barling, 2006).

Workplace Violence

Although workplace violence is not a new phenomenon, most people felt safe in their workplace, at least in relation to the rest of their environment, until the 1980s. These injuries were publicized in an article titled “Fatal Occupational Injuries” that appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Baker et al. 1982). The authors identified these incidents as a public health concern and challenged the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop standards that would protect workers from assaults in the workplace. By the late 1980s, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health began to systematically collect data about violence related occupational fatalities (Jenkins, 2008).

Workplace Violence Prevention Program

Most prevention programs for workplace violence consist of three areas: a workplace violence policy and reporting procedures, training and selection. Many agencies and companies also consider threat assessment teams who conduct safety needs assessments and investigate individual threats (Barling, 2006).

Policy and Procedures

The policy must define workplace violence so that employees are clear on what that specific organization regards as violent acts. The procedures should outline the steps employees can take to report incidents safely and people who they observe committing acts of workplace violence, as well as pre- and post-event emergency preparedness plans (Bush, 2007).

Disciplinary action that includes employee assistance program and ...