Managing Violence in the Workplace

by Capozzoli; Thomas K.

• ISBN13: 9781574440331
• ISBN10: 1574440330
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1996-05-03
• Publisher: CRC Press

Summary

Managing Violence in the Workplace is a prescription that contains many lists of "do's" & "don'ts" & "how to's" for proactive & reactive responses to workplace violence. The authors have analyzed numerous incidents in the workplace & constructed "how to" guidelines. Be prepared for managing workplace violence. Develop procedures to reduce the potential for violence, create contingency plans, fulfill your legal & moral obligation to employees & the public, reduce your company's liability, & provide a safer environment for all. Who can benefit from Managing Violence in the Workplace? Any organizational executive, risk manager, security, or human resource professional... anyone working to create a comprehensive, organizational program for response to potential & actual incidents of workplace violence.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix	(3)
Acknowledgments	xii	(1)
The Authors	xiii
Introduction	1	(4)
The Statistics	1	(2)
"Safe Workplace" and "Reasonable Care" Doctrines	3	(2)
1 Case Examples of Workplace Violence	5	(18)
Violence at Delco Remy	5	(1)
An Unexplained Shooting	6	(3)
The Chelsea School System: "Done Talking" The Standard Gravure Corporation	9	(4)
"Don't make me work the folder!"	13	(2)
La Porte, Indiana: "Who's been at my desk?"	15	(2)
Marion, Indiana: An Angry Spouse	17	(1)
U.S. Post Office: A Violent Place to Work?	17	(1)
Meridian Mortgage Co.: "I'll show you big guys!"	18	(1)
General Motors Acceptance Corporation: "Don't take my car away!"	19	(1)
Northwestern University: "You ruined my life!"	20	(1)
Ralston Food, Inc.: No Discernible Motive	20	(1)
Workplace Violence: An American Phenomenon?	21	(2)
2 A Taxonomy of Workplace Violence	23	(8)
Type 1: Violence Originates in the Workplace an Occurs in the Workplace	23	(3)
Type 2: Violence Originates in the Workplace but Occurs Outside the Workplace	26	(1)
Type 3: Violence Originates Outside the Workplace and Occurs in the Workplace	26	(1)
The Cost of Workplace Violence	27	(4)
3 Causes of Workplace Violence	31	(18)
Threat to Job	31	(1)
Threat to Person	32	(2)
Extended Working Hours	34	(1)
Personality Conflicts	35	(3)
The Paper Fight	35	(1)
Domestic Turbulence	36	(1)
Personality/Character Disorders	36	(2)
Research Regarding Personality, Mental Health, and Behavior	38	(8)
Mental Illness	41	(2)
Lack of Dispute-Resolution Skills	43	(1)
General Life Stress	44	(1)
Substance Abuse	45	(1)
Violence as a Cultural Norm	46	(3)
4 Profiles vs. Behavioral Typologies	49	(24)
Profiles	49	(1)
Behavioral "Typologies" of Violent People	50	(20)
Asocial	50	(6)
Dyssocial	56	(3)
Mentally Ill	59	(11)
Summarizing the Typologies	70	(3)
5 Factors Contributing to Workplace Violence	73	(14)
Theory X and Theory Y	73	(8)
Employee Performance Appraisals	75	(2)
Effects of Stress (Distress)	77	(4)
Economic Factors That Contribute to Violence in the Workplace	81	(6)
Downsizing	81	(4)
Mergers and Takeovers	85	(2)
6 Victims of Workplace Violence	87	(6)
Other Victims	89	(1)
Victims of Threats	90	(3)
7 Strategies for Reducing Workplace Violence	93	(38)
Hiring Procedures	94	(4)
Applicant Testing	98	(1)
Drug Screening	99	(1)
Interviewing	100	(3)
Layoff and Termination Procedures	103	(3)
Addressing Personnel Problems	106	(1)
Discipline	107	(5)
Positive Discipline	108	(1)
Coaching	109	(1)
Negative Discipline	110	(2)
Security Procedures	112	(1)
Creating a Crisis Management Plan for Violent Events	113	(3)
Hostage Behavior Training	116	(3)
Handling Reports of Treats	119	(3)
Dispute-Resolution Training	122	(1)
The Aftermath	123	(4)
Training for Supervisors/Managers	127	(2)
Summary	129	(2)
References	131