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Concerned Employees Can Help Prevent Workplace Violence
November 05, 2013 posted by Steve Brownstein
One of the best ways to prevent workplace violence is to encourage employees to speak up if they have concerns about a coworker's mental state, according to the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
NCIS has been encouraging employee involvement in violence prevention, but its message has gained new attention since the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard.
NCIS members at another Navy facility, Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), report that violent incidents have already been prevented there partly because concerned employees have taken the time to make reports about troubling behavior on the part of their colleagues.
“We hope that trend continues,” said Supervisory Special Agent Matthew Clement of NCIS at its NBVC office. Specific NCIS recommendations include asking employees to be on the lookout for major or minor events that might trigger workplace stress or anxiety.
Potential offenders may blame others for the situation and may seek recourse through official avenues and fail.
Early warning signs that an individual may then resort to violence include obsessive behaviors or speech, particularly in regards to perceived threats, rejection, or abandonment.
They may also exhibit poor coping skills and have little social support in or out of the office.
Clement stresses that not all employees with these signs are potentially violent, but it is always important to get them the help they need.
