The Employer’s Guide to Preventing Workplace Violence

Welcome to the wild and wacky world of workplace violence prevention! Okay, maybe it’s not the most exciting topic, but it’s definitely an important one. After all, nobody wants to show up to work and worry about getting attacked by a coworker or customer. So, let’s get serious for a minute and talk about how employers can prevent workplace violence.

Table of Contents

Understand What Workplace Violence Is

First things first, let’s make sure we’re on the same page about what workplace violence is. Basically, it’s any behaviour that could lead to physical, emotional, or property damage.

That means things like hitting, pushing, threatening, or damaging equipment or buildings. For further clarification, consult the professionals at Howlett Health & Safety Services.

Develop a Plan

Now that we know what workplace violence is, we need to make a plan to prevent it.

This plan should include things like:

Conducting
background checks
on potential employees to make sure they don’t have a history of violent behaviour
Creating clear policies about what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour in the workplace
Training employees on how to de-escalate potentially violent situations
Having a system in place for reporting and responding to incidents of violence

Create a Safe Environment

Another important step in preventing workplace violence is creating a safe environment. This means making sure your workplace is well-lit, free of clutter, and has a clear flow of traffic.

You should also consider installing security cameras and alarms to deter potential attackers.

Encourage Open Communication

It’s also important to create a workplace culture that encourages open communication. Employees should feel comfortable reporting any incidents of violence or threats of violence, without fear of retaliation.

You can do this by having an anonymous reporting system in place and by making it clear that all reports will be taken seriously.

Take Threats Seriously

Speaking of taking things seriously, if an employee reports a threat of violence, it’s important to take it seriously.

Don’t brush it off or assume they’re overreacting. Investigate the situation thoroughly and take appropriate action to ensure everyone’s safety.

Train Your Employees

As we mentioned earlier, training your employees on how to de-escalate potentially violent situations is important.

This includes things like:

Staying calm and professional
Listening to the person’s concerns
Offering solutions or compromises
Avoiding physical contact or threatening body language
Calling for help if necessary

Offer Support

Finally, if an incident of violence does occur, it’s important to offer support to any employees who may have been affected. This could include providing counselling services, offering time off or flexible scheduling, or providing additional security measures.

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks – a crash course in preventing workplace violence. It may not be the most exciting topic, but it’s definitely an important one. Employers can create a safe and happy workplace for everyone by taking proactive steps. And who doesn’t want that? Thanks for reading, and stay safe out there!