Detecting and Preventing Violence in the Workplace

For Management supervisors and Employees

It’s imperative that management understand the magnitude of violence in the workplace and know how to identify potentially violent employees/non-employees and be able to effectively manage incidents before they occur.

Violence in the workplace is the second leading cause of occupational death in the US. It is the number one killer of women at work and the number two killer of men at work. More than 1,400 work-related homicides occur each year.

Training Profile

Highly interactive, involving small groups of 25-50 for discussion and using MS PowerPoint, case studies and use of videos (optional), this module provides a review of workplace violence, methods for detecting and identifying threats of violence or situations most likely to lead to violence, and practical steps for addressing actual workplace violence situations. This module will also address many of the common myths and misconceptions about workplace violence in order to focus the attention for the participants on the real nature of the problem. The topics are all geared towards stimulating meaningful discussions, and critical thinking.

Length: 2-4 Hours (Depending on clients needs.)

The Violence in the workplace Problem

Analyze the development and scope of workplace violence. According to the National Crime Survey approximately 1 million people are assaulted while at work each year; this figure represents 15% of acts of violence experienced by U.S. residents aged 12 or older {Bachman 1994}. In a more recent finding by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) approximately 2 million workers have fallen victim to violence workplace.

Defining, Identifying and Understanding Violence in the Workplace

Myths vs. Facts – Separate the facts from the assumptions about violence in the workplace
Review the major categories of violence in the workplace
Who can commit to violence in the workplace, and the scope of violence in the workplace

Legal Obligations to the Employer

Review the major areas of statutory and judge-made law that may require employers to take action to prevent violence at work.

Identifying Workplace Risk Factors

Contact with the public
Exchange of money
Delivery of passengers, goods, or services
Having a mobile workplace such as taxicab or police cruiser
Working with unstable or volatile persons in health care, social services, or criminal justice settings
Working alone or in small numbers
Working late at night or during early morning hours
Working in high crime areas
Guarding valuable property or possessions
Working in community based settings

Preventing Violence in the Workplace

Dealing with emergencies
Discuss the best management practices and implementing your organizations own policy to reduce the risk of violence at work
Documenting problems of potential violence
Learn the warning signs and risk factors that can lead to violent behavior
Managing conflict resolution techniques
Personal safety tips
Planning ahead
Special precautions for night, weekend, and remote area employees

Environmental Design

Implementation of cash handling policies
Using locked drop safes
Carry smaller amounts of cash
Posting signs or notices of limited cash available
Obtain medical care and psychological support following a violent incident
Training and education on what to do in cases of violence

Behavioral Strategies

Training employees in nonviolent response and conflict resolution has been suggested to reduce the risk that volatile situations will escalate to physical violence. Some of these strategies are as follows;

Address the hazard associated with specific tasks or worksites and relevant prevention strategies
Increase vigilance to potential violence
Maintain protective equipment and ensure that it is in working order
Adhere to administrative controls
Increase knowledge and awareness of the risk of workplace violence


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