NCJ Number
169303
Date Published
1995
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This paper describes a strategy for managing the threat of violence in the workplace.
Abstract
For the purposes of this paper, violence is defined in broad terms, as it includes both physical and psychological attack and nonphysical acts of destruction, sabotage, and theft of property belonging to the employer or a coworker. Although it is difficult to predict the precise time when violence may occur, there are steps that employers and workers can take to prepare for such a possibility and effectively manage a crisis once it occurs. The use of teams reflects the complexity of some threats and the need to craft a response that builds upon the talents of specialists within the organization. This paper highlights the steps that should be taken to ensure that proper procedures are followed to manage threats of violence and actual incidents. There are sections that address the making of threats, bizarre behavior, behavior in a context, the coordination of threat management, and the identification of potentially dangerous individuals. A section on the measurement of the response on the basis of the level of violence focuses on understanding and maximizing options, defenses against violent intruders, training for threat management, and the rise of "psychological terrorism." The latter is perpetrated by individuals who prey upon the fears of managers as they walk the line between behavior that is legally permissible and that which is not; their goal is to terrorize the organization without breaking any laws. 5 exhibits and 8 references