A). Workplace violence is a frustrating problem facing our company today. While more and more information on the causes of violence and how to handle it are becoming known, there is often no reasonable justification for this type of conduct and, despite everything we know or do, violent situations continue to happen. It is impossible to sum up the costs of workplace violence, because a single incident can have far-reaching consequences. There can be the immediate and profound loss of life or physical/psychological repercussions felt by the victim as well as the victim's family, friends, and co-workers; the loss of productivity and morale that sweeps through an organization after a violent incident; and the public relations which impact an employer when news of violence reaches the media.
Workplace violence affects other areas as well depending on the category and type of violence involved in each individual situation. Workplace violence falls into four broad categories. Type 1 involves violent acts by criminals who have no other connection with the workplace, but enter to commit robbery or another crime. Type 2 stems from violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients, students, inmates, or any others for whom an organization provides services. Type 3 is violence exhibited against coworkers, supervisors, or managers by a present or former employee (most aggressive form in our company). Type 4 deals with violence committed in the workplace by someone who doesn’t work there, but has a personal relationship with an employee (an abusive spouse or domestic partner) ( Valentine, S., Human Resource Management).The adverse and most concerning workplace violence repercussions that impact our organization and individuals is wide-ranging and includes: temporary/permanent absence of skilled employee, psychological damage, property damage, theft, productivity impairments, increased security costs, increased workers' compensation costs, and increased personnel costs (Eugene A. Rugala. U.S. Department of Justice).
B). Employers have a legal and ethical obligation to promote a work environment free from threats and violence. Ways to prevent work place violence involve adopting a workplace violence policy, prevention program, and communicating the policy and program to employees. Ways to incorporate that is by creating a workplace violence response team into our action plan. A violence response team is composed of key managers, security personnel, HR
