In the United States, workplace violence is on the rise. Every year, more than two million incidents of workplace violence occur, costing Americans $36 billion. Psychological bullying and attacks, such as pushing or grabbing, account for a major share of workplace violence. No matter your industry, no business is immune from a potential threat. These kinds of attacks can happen anytime and anywhere.
Approximately one-fifth of all workplace violence occurrences result in significant physical harm or death. The frequency of active shooter instances has risen considerably in the last decade, with the majority of them occurring in the workplace. Workplace violence is still a top cause of death in the United States.
Professional security guards
Your best defence against workplace violence is to include expertly trained, professional security guards in your overall workplace protection program.
Is your business prepared to handle any workplace violence situations that may occur?
What is Workplace Violence?
As defined by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) workplace violence is an act or threat of physical violence, harassment intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behaviour that occurs at the worksite. Threats and verbal abuse are common, as are physical attacks and even homicide. Employees, clients, consumers, and tourists may be affected and involved.
In the United States, acts of violence and other injuries are the third-leading cause of fatal occupational injuries. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), of the 5147 fatal workplace injuries that occurred in the United States in 2017, 458 were cases of intentional injury by another person. Workplace violence, in any form, is a serious problem for companies and employees across the country.
Workplace violence into four categories
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) divides workplace violence into four categories:
#1 Violence by strangers |
The leading cause of workplace violence in the US is criminal intent, such as robbery and burglary.
#2 Violence by customers or clients |
A customer or a client attacks an employee.
#3 Violence by co-workers |
Co-workers are fighting with one another. This is what most people think of when they think about workplace violence.
#4 Violence by personal relations |
Domestic conflicts that follow an employee to work or begin there. Domestic disturbances are among the most dangerous calls a cop may receive.
An unofficial fifth category is terrorism or a politically driven active shooter.
How Serious is the Issue of Workplace Violence?
For business owners and other stakeholders, this type of threat continues to be a top issue. Workplace violence is a concern that isn’t going away, according to recent patterns. With the increased frequency of recent mass shootings around the country in recent years, it is more important than ever to have prevention policies in place to safeguard your employees, staff, and other business assets.
In its 2017 summary, the Bureau of Labour Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries gave a current picture of workplace violence. Even though statistics show a decline in violent incidents in 2017, the fear of workplace violence remains one of the top worries for American businesses today.
- Total of 5147 fatal occupational injuries in the United States in 2017
- 807 fatalities due to violence and other injuries by persons or animals
- 458 workplace homicides
The Impact of Workplace Violence on Your Business
The victims of workplace violence are not the only ones who suffer. Workplace violence has long-term consequences for company executives, other employees, present and potential clients, the community, and the organization’s brand.
Research shows that there are far-reaching economic impacts at play –
- The average cost of negligence lawsuits | $2 million
- The average cost of a workplace homicide | between $250,000 and $1 million
- The average cost of an out-of-court settlement | $500,000
- 50% decrease in productivity in the 6 to 18 weeks after an event
- 20% to 40% employee turnover
- 1.8 million days of work missed each year, costing more than $55 million in lost wages
Professional Security Guards Deter Workplace Violence
While there is no infallible method for preventing workplace violence, your organisation can take steps to assist dissuade these dangers. Security guards that are highly skilled and trained can make the difference between a normal workday and a disaster. Security guards can be an important part of your firm’s security programme when combined with other workplace violence prevention options including pre-employment screenings, company regulations, and training.
Security guards can help to prevent workplace violence in a variety of ways. Guards are frequently on the front lines of your business, interacting directly with individuals entering and exiting, such as employees, customers, vendors, and guests. They are critical in detecting potential risk factors or behaviours that could lead to an incident of workplace violence.
Professional security guards can dissuade potential offenders from attempting a violent act in their presence, making them a visible deterrent to workplace violence. Guards also ensure that your employees, customers, and other visitors to your business are safe. Their physical presence serves as a visual reminder to your customers and clients that their safety and security are important to you. An increase in awareness can help you improve your overall security.
When it comes to preventing workplace violence, security is an excellent place to start. Criminals can be deterred, and workplaces, buildings, equipment, customers, and employees can be protected. Criminals and active shooters may pick another place if simple physical security solutions are implemented. It’s worth noting that good physical security will aid employees in their attempts to flee, hide, or fight.
Conducting background checks is another smart security approach. Background checks on potential employees are becoming increasingly popular. Background checks might show a person’s criminal history, substance addiction difficulties, and previous violent incidents. A background check is a good approach to keep aggressive persons out of the job.
Summing-up
Dealing with workplace violence can be a frightening, complicated, and uncomfortable topic to broach; yet employees, supervisors, and managers must get workplace violence training. Both good programmes with essentially the same important information are run, hide, fight, and avoid, deny, defend. Employees should be taught any programme. Another novel concept is to have local law enforcement officers come to a workplace and provide security advice and workplace violence training. It provides cops with a chance to get to know the area in case they ever have to respond to a call there.
Workplace violence is a regular and developing issue. A little time spent on training, planning, and prevention can make all the difference in preventing a workplace catastrophe and allowing employees to return to work the next day.
Hire Shergroup’s security services to safeguard your work environment. We offer trained and experienced security guards who can be deployed at your workplace within 24 hours to mitigate any workplace violence. Having Shergroup’s security guards on your site will give you the needed peace of mind and let you operate smoothly. So, stop struggling with your workplace violence issues and hire Shergroup security today.
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