Who
suffers from violence in the workplace?
Everyone.
While the
general image of a victim is that of an employee at the bottom of the
hierarchy, the reality is that violence can take many forms and no one is
immune from harm.
Customer
service representatives have been abused by irate customers, health workers
have hurt patients in their care, and, in extreme cases, upper managers have
died because an employee sought revenge with a gun in the workplace.
Studies
have shown that anti-harassment training and formal workplace violence policies
result in a heightened awareness of the issue.
Large organizations, municipalities, and small businesses benefit from
harassment awareness. A zero tolerance
policy is ineffective without enforcement.
By creating a common understanding of what is and is not acceptable
behavior, a company can foster an attitude among its employees that results in
a strong first line of defense.
Employees
who are invested in protecting each other and their customers from violent
situations are able to identify potentially harmful situations early. As in treating a cancer, it’s important to
change the course of a bad situation as early as possible, not only because it
will be cheaper and easier but much less complicated. Human dynamics are such that violence is
rarely restricted to two parties with no influence on others in the workplace.
Employees
who know how to recognize and report threats are also more likely to act
because they feel empowered to do so.
There is no time lost to wondering, “Should I get involved?” The culture encourages action and emphasizes
individual responsibility.
Regular
training from a reputable and experienced firm such as Richwood Consulting
reduces the disruption of business and productivity, which improves the bottom
line. For everyone.
