NCJ Number
159346
Date Published
1996
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Reports of shooting sprees in the employment setting reflect a growing problem of violence in the workplace; internal violence occurs when the perpetrator is familiar with the company, while external violence involves someone who is not familiar with the company.
Abstract
Between 15 and 20 Americans are murdered on the job each week, triple the workplace homicide rate of the mid-1980's. Guns are the weapon of choice, accounting for about 71 percent of the 1,034 homicides committed in the workplace in 1992. Victims of workplace violence are overwhelmingly white, male, and between 25 and 54 years of age. Workplace homicide is the leading cause of death for women who work and the third main killer of men who work. Further, workplace violence is predominantly an urban problem. Workplace violence and fear translate into costs to the employer in the form of increased medical and stress-related disability claims, lower employee productivity, higher employee turnover, and possibly greater legal liability. Violence in the workplace is examined in the context of employee layoffs and family dynamics. Measures employers can take to stem the tide of workplace violence are noted, including job applicant screening and supervisor training. The liability of employers for workplace violence under the Occupational Safety and Health Act is discussed.