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Article
Workplace Violence
More than 2 million employees were victims of workplace violence. 40% knew their offenders, and women were more likely to experience workplace violence than men.
Very often, the perpetrators are described as individuals who "just snapped." Actually, people exhibit warning signs. Some might be:
- Threats of violence
- Indirect threats
- Dissatisfaction with a promotion, or a grievance
- Depression
- Substance abuse
- Disciplinary problems
- Tardiness or missing work
Each security company should have a workplace violence program. The program should include areas of prevention such as pre-employment screening, maintaining a zero-tolerance for threats of violence, a grievance procedure, and a termination policy.
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Where
does workplace violence occur?
The Bureau of Justice
Statistics listed seven occupational fields which have
the highest number of incidents in the workplace
environment:
Retail Sales:
292,482
Law Enforcement: 240,480
Teaching: 138,124
Medical: 133,012
Mental Health: 80,711
Transportation: 73,894
Private Security: 61,790 |
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OSHA makes recommendations for a safe workplace, and there are some instances where employers may be held liable for workplace violence. Normally, these incidents are covered by Worker's Compensation, if the violence falls under the category of a workplace accident. Section 5(a)(1) of the OSHA act states: "Each employer shall furnish to each of it's employees employment in a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to it's employees."
Injuries from Violent Crime
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Injuries from Violent Crime, 1992
� 1998, released last summer, individuals who fall victim to a violent incident are less likely to suffer an injury if they're working at the time. People at work suffered 18.4% of all violent victimizations, but employees comprised only 6.9% of people who received injuries as a result of a violent incident. Parking lots and garages, on the other hand, are even more dangerous than the overall numbers indicate. Some 7.7% of violent crimes occur in them, but parking structure account for 8.5% of severe injuries from violent crimes.
Apartment Security
The Texas Apartment Association recently reported that the HAA (Houston Apartment Association) has been working with city and county officials to address the problem of high-crime apartment properties. Houston's FAST (Forfeiture, Abatement and Seizure Team) program is in charge of bringing the worst crime-ridden properties to court under the state's public nuisance law, but has had some problems because the city can only budget for one attorney.
The police department has agreed to assign an attorney from within the department to assist the FAST program, which is sure to help speed up the court process. For a variety of reasons, the Harris County Attorney's office has not participated in nuisance cases inside the Houston city limits for several years. After meeting with HAA, the county has agreed to participate in any and all cases in which the city will allow its participation.
HAA has been instrumental in getting the Blue Star program extended citywide. This voluntary pilot program has consisted of 10 properties that have agreed to certain crime control measures, such as a lease addendum, specific screening criteria and anti-crime training for all onsite personnel. Upon completion, the property receives a sign, and can promote itself as a Blue Star property.
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