Workplace Violence DVD Training Program

Workplace Violence DVD Outline of first few minutes of presentation.

Workplace Violence is nothing to joke about. It is:
- The number one cause of death in the workplace for women.
- The number two cause of death for all workers.
Some people believe that a certain amount of conflict on the job is normal. But most incidents of Workplace Violence:
- Begin as a disagreement between co-workers.
- Develop into insults, threats and challenges.
Bystanders usually ignore these confrontations, dismissing them as “personality conflicts”.
- But the situation can often intensify.
- Push comes to shove and the conflict becomes physical.
- Once incidents become violent, serious injuries, even death can result.
OSHA requires employers to provide “a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.”
- Workplace Violence should be considered one of those hazards.
- It is stressful, bad for morale and dangerous.
- We must take steps to prevent any violence in the workplace.
Newspapers and television latch onto the big headlines such as murder
- But other types of Workplace Violence occur far more frequently.
“Violence” is defined as more than physical confrontation.
- It includes verbal and emotional attacks.
- The psychological harm caused by threats, intimidation and verbal abuse can be as serious as any physical attack.
There are several sources of violence in the workplace. One category is “Outside Threats”.
- These are acts of violence committed in your facility by people not employed by your company.
- Customers or vendors may seek revenge for some perceived wrong-doing.
- In healthcare environments, patients or their families can become hostile and assault medical personnel.
- The workplace is also not immune to incidents of Domestic Violence.
- Terrorists could even target your business to “set an example”.
Another type of Outside Threat is “Commercial Crime.”
- A robber enters a business looking for some quick cash.
The workers at greatest risk from Commercial Crime include those who:
- Exchange money with the public.
- Work alone or in small numbers.
- Work late-night or early-morning hours.
Another source of Workplace Violence is inside Threats”.
- All organizations are at risk from aggressive or violent people within their facility.
- This includes disgruntled employees who take out their frustrations on supervisors.
But disagreements or personality conflicts between co workers are the most common causes of Workplace Violence.
- This includes people we work with and know.
- Fortunately, violence rarely happens without warning.
Although we can’t predict when and where violence will strike, there are usually Warning Signs.
- A person may become irritable and prone to emotional outbursts or mood swings.
- They may be defensive and overreact to comments or criticism.
An individual may start complaining frequently, or blame others for their problems.
- They may talk about “getting even with someone.”
- Or they may be fascinated by other incidents of violence.
Other possible Warning Signs may include:
- Someone who seems to be late or absent more often than usual.
- A co-worker who disappears during the work day.
- Someone who becomes careless, reckless or has accidents on the job because they are frustrated or distracted.
Remember that Warning Signs don’t always lead to violence.
- Everyone has “bad days”, and may blow off little steam now and then.
- What is really important is to watch for accompanying aggressive or violent behavior.
Aggressive behavior is any attempt to hurt or demean someone. This does I just include causing physical harm. It includes:
- Threats.
- Sexual Harassment.
- Verbal Abuse.
There are basically three kinds of threats.
- Veiled.
- Conditional.
- Direct.
Veiled or Hiddenu Threats suggest that someone intends to do harm without them actually spelling it out.
Conditional Threats are used to intimidate people. The goal us:
- To make someone do something.
- Or prevent them from doing it.
Direct Threats come through loud and clear.
- This is when someone declares an intention to commit an act of violence.
Although we do not usually think of it this way, Sexual Harassment is also a form of violence.
- It is repeated, unwanted behavior based on an individual’s sex.
- Women are not the only victims.
Sexual harassment includes:
- Sexist as well as sexual remarks.
- Any unwanted physical contact.
- Sexual advances.
- Hazing or practical jokes based on an individual’s sex.
- Assigning menial or demeaning tasks because of gender.
The bottom line is that it is not fair to treat anyone differently because of their gender.
- Sexually explicit language or behavior has no place in the workplace.
Verbal Abuse is another type of Aggressive Behavior, and can include:
- Bullying.
- Mocking.
- Intimidation.
- Insults.
This should not be dismissed as someone just being mean.
- There is no excuse for using language or behavior to hurt someone’s feelings.

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