For-hire drivers (which include taxi drivers, along with Uber and Lyft drivers and chauffeurs) are 20 times more likely to be murdered on the job than other workers.<\/strong><\/p>\n What form does violence at work take? How can you and your company make workplace violence prevention a priority?<\/p>\n The first step to preventing workplace violence is to understand it. This is done through the categorization of the types of violence that occur.<\/p>\n OSHA reports 2 million American workers<\/a> are victims of workplace violence annually. Even more people witness it and never report it.<\/p>\n The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health<\/a> classifies workplace violence into four different categories: criminal intent, customer\/client, worker-on-worker, and personal relationship.<\/p>\n The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out this is the least frequent form of violence that occurs in health care. A study from Arizona State University points out convenience stores are consistent targets of robbery<\/a>, although banks and other retail establishments also have reason to worry.<\/p>\n According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), 3,033 robberies, burglaries, and larcenies<\/a> occurred in 2018 against financial institutions. This includes commercial banks, credit unions, and armored carriers, among other companies.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) is studying the longitudinal effects of terrorism<\/a> in the workplace. Employees who have been victimized by random violence have long-term effects on their perceptions of safety.<\/p>\n Not all criminal intent is for monetary gain \u2013 sometimes attacks are carried out for ideological reasons.<\/p>\n The CDC lists a variety of terrorist attacks<\/strong><\/a> that can occur (and have occurred) in workplaces<\/strong>, including anthrax attacks, use of infectious diseases, chemical attacks, and the infamous World Trade Center attack of September 11, 2001.<\/p>\n Type 2 violence involves a customer or client attacking an employee. This type of customer-on-worker violence is very common in health care and police work, among others.<\/p>\n Retail stores are also known to deal with customer-on-worker violence, especially during frenzied sales like Black Friday. Or the Popeyes chicken sandwich craze of 2019<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n Fast food customer attacks seem commonplace, and the videos go viral. In 2019, several McDonald\u2019s employees<\/a> were attacked by customers in different parts of the country<\/a> for arbitrary reasons.<\/p>\n Legal complications arise when customers attack workers<\/a>, even if the customer isn\u2019t right. It\u2019s important to immediately call 911 to file a police report and prevent future adverse action.<\/p>\n Type 2 violence isn\u2019t restricted to retail \u2013 in fact, it\u2019s the most common form of violence in health care. Nurses are repeatedly attacked by patients<\/a>, especially those in the emergency room, mental health institutions, and correctional facilities.<\/p>\n Workplace violence against hospital workers<\/a> spiked recently, and violence against law enforcement (specifically the murder of police officers<\/a>) experienced a sharp uptick, as well.<\/p>\n Even a video game tournament in Jacksonville Landing, Florida was targeted by an active shooter in 2018<\/a>. The 2017 Las Vegas shooter targeted hotel employees before unloading at concertgoers during the Route 91 Harvest music festival.<\/a><\/p>\n In 2018, YouTube HQ in San Bruno, CA was targeted<\/a> by an active shooter upset about changes to content creator monetization policies.<\/p>\n Any industry can experience customer-on-worker violence and needs to be prepared.<\/p>\n Type 3 violence involves coworkers and is often called lateral or horizontal violence. It\u2019s modern-day bullying that happens to adults regularly. It manifests as verbal and emotional abuse, humiliation, even murder.<\/p>\n Disgruntled journalist Vester Lee Flanagan II shot and killed two fellow journalists,<\/a> Alison Bailey Parker and Adam Laing Ward, in 2015 over labor disputes. A dozen people were killed in a 2019 rampage in a Virginia Beach<\/a> municipal building by a disgruntled city employee.<\/p>\n A disgruntled employee in Aurora, Illinois killed six and wounded six in a February 2019 attack on the Henry Pratt Company plant he worked at.<\/p>\n Although the terms \u201ccoworkers,\u201d \u201clateral,\u201d and \u201chorizontal\u201d are used, it\u2019s misleading. Most of this violence is directed at those lower on the corporate ladder. Supervisor-on-underling violence can hardly be considered equitable peer violence.<\/p>\n Often times, this violence is seen by other employees. There could be a dozen witnesses to this coworker violence, but it never gets reported.<\/p>\n Experts say this is a real-life trend.<\/a> Worker-on-worker violence often goes unreported, and every government agency mentioned above believes the numbers are much higher than reported.<\/strong><\/p>\n Even if it\u2019s reported, the proper action isn\u2019t always taken.<\/strong> Sometimes the perpetrator is fired, demoted, or otherwise subjected to disciplinary action. Criminal and civil legal action is much less common.<\/p>\n Worker-on-worker violence is an epidemic that needs to stop. Things get even more complicated when personal relationships are involved.<\/p>\n This type of workplace violence predominantly affects women. However, at times it can lead to violence against completely innocent third parties.<\/p>\n In 2018, a Phoenix man went on a shooting rampage<\/a> stemming from his divorce. He killed a forensic psychiatrist, two paralegals who worked for his wife\u2019s attorney, a marriage counselor, and more.<\/p>\n Rejection of romantic interest was also cited as a factor in the 2018 Parkland school shooting<\/a>.<\/p>\n The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence states 20 people per minute<\/a> are physically abused by an intimate partner. One in seven women and one in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner.<\/p>\n Victims of domestic violence lose a total of 8 million days of paid work annually, costing $8.3 billion. This matters in the workplace because 78% of women killed in the workplace are killed by a current or former intimate partner.<\/p>\n No means no, and the demise of a relationship doesn\u2019t need to lead to the demise of a person\u2019s life.<\/p>\n Workplace violence prevention requires a multi-tiered approach to proactively identify threats and treat the symptoms. OSHA provides several recommendations,<\/a> including a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence against or by employees.<\/p>\n Training goes a long way to preventing workplace violence. Employees should be properly trained on what conduct is acceptable, what to do when witnessing violence, and protective measures in the event they find themselves enduring an attack.<\/p>\n Security and surveillance systems help deter criminal activity in the first place. Well-lit parking lots, security alarms, and visible surveillance cameras and other sensors minimize the ability of an assailant to succeed. Securing building access through keycards<\/a> and employing security personnel<\/a> can also assist in proactive defense.<\/p>\n The less cash a business has on-site, the less that can be stolen. Drop safes keep cash registers to minimal cash on hand. Regular procedures should be followed to minimize the cash value of any attempted robberies. When criminals know it\u2019s a low-value target, they\u2019re less enticed to hit the business.<\/p>\n Communication is key during a crisis.<\/a> Employees should have cell phones on hand, and security personnel should be equipped with two-way radios. This provides a valuable line of communication in the event of workplace violence.<\/p>\n Some policies may feel like they don\u2019t matter, but they must be followed. Safety procedures are put in place to provide security to the entire workplace. Routine patrols and monitoring make it easy to identify a potentially hazardous situation on the spot, reducing reaction times.<\/p>\n With these policies in place, the workplace can be made proactively safer. Unfortunately, no workplace is ever 100% safe, not even on the secure military facilities that protect this country. This was proven twice in Fort Hood<\/a>, when soldiers went on separate shooting rampages against their fellow soldiers.<\/p>\n Nobody wants it to happen, but if violence breaks out in the workplace, the workplace needs to respond.<\/p>\n Keeping violent incidents from occurring at work is our goal. But when it occurs, our goal is no longer workplace violence prevention, but response. It\u2019s the duty of any business to protect employees. Workplace violence prevention needs to be accompanied by a proper response plan for any type of violent activity.<\/p>\n The U.S. Department of Labor<\/a> divides workplace violence into three levels.<\/p>\n A supervisor should schedule a private time and place to listen to the concerned employee. If necessary, behavioral action may be taken against the perpetrator. This may be as simple as discussing the problem.<\/p>\n Set behavioral limits and expectations. Create a performance plan and stick to it. This can help diffuse the situation before it escalates.<\/p>\n The situation escalates when a person starts arguing with customers, vendors, and coworkers. Problematic workers start to disobey policies and procedures.<\/p>\n It starts as minor things \u2013 petty theft or sabotage \u2013 then turns to sending threatening notes and verbalizing their intent to hurt others.<\/p>\n When things reach this point, management needs to immediately get involved. Calming the person down and working together to regain control is the focus at this stage. This is usually the type of scene where videos start to go viral. For example, this Los Angeles woman screaming racial slurs<\/a> inside a CVS in September 2019.<\/p>\n Documentation is key to proving the erratic behavior and assisting a police response, if necessary.<\/p>\n If 911 was not already called, it should be flooded by this point. Emergency operators help and management should actively be working to protect innocent victims and save lives.<\/p>\n An example of this occurred last year. During the 2018 hostage situation at the Hypercacher kosher supermarket<\/a> in Paris, employees helped hide customers from the terrorists.<\/p>\n Police intervention takes time, and the actions taken in those preceding minutes can be the difference between life and death.<\/p>\n It\u2019s okay to be scared. But no matter what happens at Level 3, stay calm, accept help from others, and cooperate with law enforcement. It may be the only way to survive.<\/p>\n BeSafe Technologies arms organizations with the tools needed to make this happen. <\/strong>When a crisis occurs, communication is key to formulating a proper response. Emergency calls need to be monitored for information, and an overview of the situation needs to be analyzed.<\/p>\n Besafe\u2019s ActiveShield platform<\/a> uses advanced IoT technology and AI-powered software to send alerts and crucial info to first responders in an instant. In seconds, they can see a digital, interactive overview of the building, it’s entrances and exits, and utilities. This allows for the coordination of response teams to isolate the attacker, rescue innocent people, and minimize damage.<\/p>\n![\"uber](\"https:\/\/www.besafe.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/adult-auto-automobile-blur-376729-1024x681.jpg\")
Industries like healthcare, education, and service providers (which includes municipal services) have the highest violence rates. The most likely occupation to be murdered<\/a>, according to the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is for-hire drivers.<\/p>\nCategorizing Workplace Violence<\/span><\/h2>\n
1. Criminal Intent<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"random](\"https:\/\/www.besafe.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Webp.net-resizeimage.jpg\")
Type 1 violence involves a random attacker who has no relationship to the business or its employees. This type of workplace violence includes robberies, terrorist attacks, and other assaults.<\/p>\n2. Customer\/Client<\/span><\/h3>\n
3. Worker-on-Worker<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"worker](\"https:\/\/www.besafe.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/fist-4117726_1280-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/p>\n4. Personal Relationships<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"personal](\"https:\/\/www.besafe.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Webp.net-resizeimage-3-e1595875047598.jpg\")
Type 4 violence involves an outsider with a personal relationship with the employee. An unhealthy relationship can spill into the workplace and can lead to violence.<\/p>\nPreventing Workplace Violence<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Training<\/span><\/h4>\n
\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
![\"surveillance](\"https:\/\/www.besafe.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/white-surveillance-camera-3205737.jpg\")
Security & Surveillance<\/span><\/h4>\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Limit Cash & Valuables<\/span><\/h4>\n
\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Maintain Communication<\/span><\/h4>\n
\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Follow Safety Procedures<\/span><\/h4>\n
Responding to Workplace Violence<\/span><\/h2>\n
Level 1 (Early Warning Signs)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"workplace](\"https:\/\/www.besafe.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/angry-2766265_1280-1024x682.jpg\")
The early warning signs of potential violence start at intimidating and bullying, disrespect, and verbal abuse. Employees should feel comfortable reporting these warning signs to management.<\/p>\nLevel 2 (Escalation)<\/span><\/h3>\n
Level 3 (Emergency Response<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"police](\"https:\/\/www.besafe.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Webp.net-resizeimage-5-e1595875311703.jpg\")
Things intensify at the highest level, resulting in physical altercations, destruction of property, suicidal threats, display of extreme rage, and usage of weaponry. Violence is in full-swing, and lives are in immediate danger.<\/p>\nUsing Technology to Be Safer<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Besafe](\"https:\/\/www.besafe.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Webp.net-resizeimage-26.jpg\")
Technology is at the foundation of responding to violence in the workplace.<\/strong> From domestic violence to assaults and terrorist attacks, there\u2019s no end to the dangers faced. But today\u2019s advanced security tech can help reduce the frequency and severity of workplace violence.<\/p>\nAn end to workplace violence<\/span><\/h2>\n