NCJ Number
178729
Date Published
1999
Length
172 pages
Annotation
This volume summarizes current research and practice regarding to preventing and responding to workplace violence, presents case examples, offers practical guidance and recommendations for assessing the risk of violence in the workplace, details prevention steps, and explains employee rights and employer responsibilities
Abstract
The text examines workplace violence in the context of the changes and crises experienced by the workplace. It also explains how traditional tools for occupational safety and health, workplace discipline, and employee relations are inadequate and inappropriate for responding to the problem of workplace violence. It notes that methods and approaches commonly in use actually worsen the problem in some cases. Therefore, business and labor leaders need to address a range of crucial workplace issues. These issues include the limits of current concepts about worker rights and employer responsibility; the limits of current human resources practices; limits of current occupational health and disability policies and procedures; and health, safety, and labor relations. Efforts at workplace violence prevention should include the following seven steps: (1) obtaining support from the top; (2) forming a team; (3) performing a workplace violence risk audit; (4) developing policies and procedures; (5) conducting training in the policies and procedures; (6) arranging for easy, nonpunitive access to medical and mental health expertise; and (7) having clear, commonsense policies and procedures for terminations and layoffs. Figures, chapter notes, appended sample policy and resource list, index, and 35 references