Improving Anti-Violence Workplace Training

Companies have been forced to review their emergency plans and create anti-violence training as a result of several factors. With the recent spike in shootings and other acts of violence affecting workers, protocols must change. If you add that to an increase of employees returning to work following the COVID-19 pandemic, you might need to reconsider your emergency action plans to reduce workplace violence.

Workplace violence is “violence or the threat of violence against workers. It can occur at or outside the workplace, ranging from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and homicide, one of the leading causes of job-related deaths.”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires workplaces to have an emergency action plan to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies. Did you know, on average, nearly two million U.S. workers report being a victim of violence at work? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the annual number of workplace homicides is nearly 400.

How Employers Can Protect Their Employees

Employers must establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence against or by their employees. If you do not already have a workplace violence prevention program set in place, consider doing so immediately to ensure the safety of your employees. Another option is to add a new section to your employee handbook regarding workplace violence. It’s imperative that the policy is clear and understood by all employees so that if an accident occurs, all workplace claims are investigated and dealt with promptly.

In the event of workplace violence, take the following actions:

• Encourage employees to report and log all incidents and threats of workplace violence. 
• Provide prompt medical evaluation and treatment after the incident. 
• Report violent incidents to the local police. 
• Discuss the circumstances of the incident with human resources.
• Offer stress debriefing sessions and post-traumatic counseling services to help employees recover from a violent incident.
• Investigate all violent incidents and threats, monitor trends in violent incidents by type or circumstance, and institute corrective actions. 
• Discuss changes in the program during regular employee meetings. 

Create A Plan Before It’s Too Late

At GMS, the safety of our clients is at the top of our priority list. Our experts create and update our clients’ emergency action plans with the latest laws and regulations. Furthermore, HR experts at GMS enhance your employee handbooks to ensure that your employees are protected and adhere to a zero-tolerance policy for workplace violence. Don’t let your employees be at risk. Contact us today.