Workplace Violence - People are Dying Going to Work

Workplace violence has become a tragic reality today. From minor instances of harassment to homicide today's workplace is littered with danger.

Violence can be described as the unjust or unwarranted use of force and power. Many people in their workplaces are the victims of violence, including verbal abuse, threats, harassment, physical assault, serious bodily injury and death.

We know that violence can occur in any occupation and in a variety of situations. It can be internal to the workplace, or external, such as from a client or visitor.

We appear to live in a society that experiences queue rage, road rage, work rage, a distinct lack of matters and courtesy, unkindness, indifference and anger.

Violence includes acts of verbal, physical and psychological intimidation.

We seem to live on the edge! Incidences of violence against women have dramatically increased.

Do you have an obligation to protect your Workers?

Most government places a requirement on Employers not to place workers, members of the public or volunteer workers at risk.

Managing Potential Workplace Violence

You business must consult with your workers and other parties to the workplace to develop violence control strategies.

Identifying sources of violence

Identify the tasks, work areas, instances and environments where people are likely to be exposed to some form of violence.

Procedures for identification may include:

1. performing a workplace violence audit

2. reviewing existing accident and incident reports

3. gathering additional information from people at the workplace

4. gathering information from the industry on potential incidents

5. disseminating information to staff to increase their awareness of violence as a hazard and to encourage the reporting of violent and potentially violent incidents.

Risk Reduction Strategies

Some of your risk reduction strategies may include:

1.setting up a system for alerting coworkers that urgent help is required. 2.selecting a sufficient number of staff so delays which may raise stress are minimised and support is available when needed.

You can find more information on risk reduction strategies at www.biz-momentum.com

What to do if you experience violence in the workplace

Any person who is being subject to violence at work must inform management at the first reasonably available opportunity.

There are regulations that require your business to report these workplace incidences.

Your reporting duty generally involves reporting mechanisms to the authorities and government bodies, usually workplace health and safety.

You must be able to demonstrate that you take our responsibilities seriously to protect workers and other visitors at the workplace.

For more information on workplace conflict and violence visit us at www.biz-momentum.com

We haved asisted a number of businesses with workplace violence prevention including up to threats of serious violence against workers.

Protect your business and worker today. By incrementally introducing change, policies and procedures you can move your business a long way toward minimising risk.

Philip Lye is Director of Biz Momentum Pty Ltd. He works with small to medium businesses to help them cut through the maze of people matters. Clients get specific actionable strategies to protect their business interests. For more information on Philip, visit http://www.biz-momentum.com and subscribe to his free monthly e-zine.

---

Character: Is It Necessary In Leadership? (Part One)

We know character when we see it, but what exactly... Read More

Six Honest Business Friends - They Guide Me In All I Do

SIX "HONEST BUSINESS FRIENDS" - THEY GUIDE ME IN ALL... Read More

Hiring Great People And How to Be One Yourself: Five Secrets

Bad news.Your senior vice-president, your marketing director or your accounting... Read More

How To Own A Business... Instead Of A Job

Every business is run by someone who took on a... Read More

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: The Responsibility for Job Security

This article relates to the Job Security competency, commonly evaluated... Read More

Success: A Wholistic Perspective

The world has always been mixed with the... Read More

Why Training Fails

Sometimes when I conduct my workshop on Effective Meetings, one... Read More

Results of Poor Cross Cultural Awareness

Results of Poor Cross Cultural Awareness. Having a poor understanding... Read More

Discover the Astonishing Power of Words Today!

Picture all the people you know who are dynamic, successful... Read More

Just The Facts

Attitudes are more important than facts. Dr. Karl Menninger... Read More

Lets Make Training More Interesting!

Many HR managers believe that by sending their workers to... Read More

Making Assumptions - A Critical Communication Mistake In Business And In Your Personal Life!

We draw conclusions about people through observation, their behavior, past... Read More

Managers Who Spend PR $$ Wisely

If you are a department, division or subsidiary manager, your... Read More

Conflict Resolution Training- When Personal Safety is an Issue

Conflict generally arises by having your needs, desires, perceptions and... Read More

Behavioral Extensions and Its Implications at Workplaces

The study of Behavioral extension involves investigating the source of... Read More

Have You Always Thought That The Best Ideas Come From Research Or Management? Think Again

Many entrepreneurs and chief executive officers are unaware that there... Read More

Getting to Consensus

The need to get people in an organization to pull... Read More

More Problem-Solving Success Tips

The ability to solve complicated problems quickly is more important... Read More

Proven Secrets to Keeping Your People and Increasing Your Profits

Why are people changing jobs so quickly these days?Here are... Read More

Make a Difference - Sweat the Small Stuff First

My background is in retail management - yes, running stores,... Read More

Creating Your Own Business Upturn - Powering Business Development

We all see it . . . business markets are... Read More

Squeezing the Blood Out of that Old Turnip

I suspect all of you out there have someone that... Read More

Innovation Management ? how does the user benefit?

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

CEOs And Boards Are Locked In A Spiral Of Doom

American CEOs are dropping like flies. Boards, armed with new... Read More

Is Busyness Affecting Your Business?

I'm too busy; I'd love to but I'm very busy;... Read More

ISO 9001 Compliant Program: Steps to Build

Implementing an ISO 9001 system represents a major effort. However,... Read More

10 Ways To Maintain Profits In A Slow Economy

1. Sell more back end products to your existing customer... Read More

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Improving Workplace Safety

This article relates to the Safety and Working Environment competency... Read More

A Rare Leadership Skill: Dealing With People Who Want Out By Offering Crowns For Convoy

As a leader, you'll inevitably be faced with people wanting... Read More

Create Your Methodology Based on a Standard Framework - Part One

OK. So you have decided that your organization has to... Read More

The Narcissist in the Workplace

To a narcissist-employer, the members of his "staff" are Secondary... Read More

How to Create an Operations Manual

An operations manual can act as a tool for training... Read More

Measuring Creativity, DIY style

Creativity measurement is often required in order to benchmark existing... Read More