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Two Steps to Reduce Workplace Violence

Organizations assign responsibility for dealing with issues of workplace violence differently. Such responsibility may lie with Operations, Human Resources or perhaps EH&S.  In larger organizations, it is typically the Security Department. Too frequently we find that the program responsibility is shared or may not be assigned to any specific department. No matter where the primary responsibility resides, applying two simple principals will enhance the program’s effectiveness.

1. Assign a Single Point of Program Ownership

When companies do not clearly assign workplace violence program ownership, the result is frequently a focus on reaction to workplace violence incidents. Development of effective proactive violence programs requires focus, sound policy, effective policy enforcement, constant program evaluation and training.  Shared program responsibility encourages deferment of these all-important proactive violence prevention program initiatives to another party or another day. While it is important to properly respond to an act of violence, it is far more effective to prevent one. By assigning program ownership to a single department, accountability is traced to a single department head. With a single point of accountability, program development and effectiveness can be a component of the department head’s performance metrics and the job is treated with the attention and focus required for success.

2. Case Management Requires Multi-Disciplinary Teams

While program ownership should reside at a single point, incident management should not. An effective workplace violence program should incorporate case evaluation and management by representatives of leadership from all affected areas. The likely stakeholders may include Operations, Human Resources, Security, EH&S, Legal and others as necessary, according to your unique corporate structure and culture. By assembling a multi-disciplinary threat assessment team to respond to a threat or an incident, you empower stakeholders close to the situation to contribute based on their unique point of view. For example, Operations may have the most information on the incident, EH&S may approach it from a health and safety standpoint while HR and Legal contribute their valuable insights. The end result is a full airing of all issues and risks associated with the incident and the most informed decision available.

By following these two simple principles: assigning program responsibility and utilizing multi-disciplinary threat assessment teams, you will have created a system that will produce an effective proactive workplace violence prevention program capable of responding to incidents in a professional, informed and circumspect manner.

Warm regards,

Kathy Leodler Chief Executive Officer Email:kathy.l@rampartgroup.com Phone: (360) 981-2703 PI License #3555

Paul Leodler Executive Vice President Email:paul.l@rampartgroup.com Phone: (360) 981-3397 PI License #4180

We at Rampart Group are committed to your security. Call 1-800 421-0614 or contact us today with your security or investigative needs.