Workplace Violence: The Biggest Mistakes Companies Make and How to Prevent Escalation

Описание: Many companies focus on crisis response to workplace violence, such as "run, hide, fight" exercises, but prevention happens long before the worst-case scenario. We discuss the biggest mistakes organizations make in preventing workplace violence and what leaders can do to stop escalation.

The biggest misnomer is focusing too much on response instead of educating stakeholders on the value of prevention. It's about everything leading up to the crisis event. A key mistake is having a workplace violence policy but not building it into training programs or educating all employees and leaders about it.

Additionally, many organizations miss the mark by not having a multidisciplinary approach. All key stakeholders—including HR, security, legal, facilities, and communications—need to have their expertise integrated.

A one-size-fits-all approach, like a zero-tolerance policy, is ineffective when applied to dynamic human behavior. While not tolerating violent behavior, an individualized approach to each case helps maximize safety. Implementing a zero-tolerance policy can discourage people from reporting concerns, which is critical for the intervention piece. Intervention is a key part of workplace violence prevention.

Some work environments, like healthcare, even tolerate a certain level of violence because it has become the norm. Leaders must break down these barriers as part of the cultural solution.

Reach out to us to build or review your workplace violence program at cpps.com.