When the Unthinkable Happens:Dealing with Workplace Violence

The Proactive Employer

If the unthinkable happened at your workplace, would you know what to do? More importantly, do you know how to prevent the unthinkable from happening in the first place? Last Friday, a disgruntled former employee of a business near the Empire State Building in New York City fatally shot a former coworker and injured nine others before he was killed by police officers. Unfortunately, violence is a reality of today's workplace. But there are some proactive strategies employers can use to minimize the likelihood of violence occurring. In this episode, we discuss workplace violence with Carol Fredrickson, a recognized authority on personal safety, violence prevention and crisis management. We talk about the different forms workplace violence takes, some of the warning signs that problems may be on the horizon, and some ways to reduce the chances of violence happening in your workplace. We also discuss the importance of having a crisis management plan in place, and what to do if the unthinkable does happen.