Warning signs and missed opportunities
Could my co-worker be capable of violence?
After a homicide occurs in a workplace, co-workers often make statements such as "I never thought it could happen here," or "He just snapped."
In fact, violence can happen in any workplace, and people often act in a manner that is inconsistent with their usual behavior before becoming violent, according to Ross Arrowsmith, a senior corporate security Advisor for the Workers' Compensation BoardAlberta.
Arrowsmith was involved in the development of the organization's workplace violence prevention strategies, which is the model for the Preventing Violence at Work program now being promoted throughout Alberta.
Individuals about to commit violence "will often do or say things that give us great cause for concern," he says. "While it is easy to ignore these behaviors, this is our best opportunity to reach out to someone who is in need of support and assistance."
Ask difficult questions
For occupational health professionals, getting employees to discuss workplace violence in the first place is no easy task. "Even acknowledging that workplace violence can happen where we work is often very uncomfortable for many individuals to consider," says Arrowsmith.
Yet "people who commit workplace violence are great communicators," he notes. "However, we as recipients of the information they impart don't like the message because it makes us feel vulnerable. So oftentimes we avoid asking the questions that need to be answered." That question might be "Could my co-worker be capable of violence?"
The truth, says Arrowsmith, is that people don't just "snap." "It is human nature to avoid situations that make us uncomfortable. But in so doing, we miss important opportunities to have a positive impact on someone who needs help," he says. "Their actions are telling us what they cannot."
Empower employees
By educating employees to recognize opportunities to prevent someone from becoming violent, they may feel empowered to assist colleagues in need. "Or at the very least, they will understand that we have an obligation to report our concerns. Someone will then be able to take this information and initiate the appropriate support mechanisms to assist the individual in need," says Arrowsmith.
While educating an entire workforce is a daunting task, the process begins with starting a dialog with employees about the topic of workplace violence. "It may begin as an awkward conversation that most people would prefer to avoid," he says. Still, bringing up the subject is the important first step in developing a prevention plan.
"Hopefully, violence will one day be viewed no differently than any other workplace hazard," he says. "Once it reaches that point, it means that we've all recognized that it can happen where we work. There are things that we must do to prevent it from occurring."
Source
For more information on discussing violence in the workplace, contact:
Ross Arrowsmith, Calgary, Canada. Phone: (403) 517-6003. E-mail: [email protected].
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