Workplace violence is a growing concern. This is especially the case with an economic downturn and with employees depressed and fearful of losing their jobs. Under these pressing and stressful conditions, people tend to act out.
While background checks may help filter out those who are more prone to commit workplace violence, there is always a first time for everything. Employers should conduct background checks in order to determine if the job applicant has prior criminal records, especially episodes of violence, if they have financial problems, substance abuse problems, or is they have had issues with authority. These are often indicators that someone may snap out and hurt someone in the workplace. Psychological testing and aptitude testing may also be a useful part of an employer’s preemployment screening program.
I have written about workplace violence on a number of occasions. Once such article was entitled, Getting Real About Workplace Killings. In that article I tended to agree with James Allen Fox who in his Boston.com article opined that some of the workplace murder statistics are inaccurate or a bit overblown. Some workplace killings could be attributed to other factors, including robberies and domestic issues, rather than one employee acting out against another.
However, in this bad economy there are certain incidents of workplace violence are on the rise. They may not be as serious as murders but serious enough to warrant further attention. The Lincoln Journal Star of Lincoln, Nebraska offers tips about preventing workplace violence. Jordan Pascale was the writer of the article. I highly recommend the article.
Here are a couple of excerpts. I suggest everyone concerned read the entire piece.
“Fiel said there are warning signs of potentially dangerous employees. Here’s what to look for:
Watch for dramatic changes in attitude, behavior and work ethic.
If someone is usually active and social, then suddenly quiet and reserved, it may be an indicator, Fiel said.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management says no one can predict human behavior and there is no specific profile of a potentially dangerous individual.
However, indicators of increased risk of violent behavior have been identified by the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, Profiling and Behavioral Assessment Unit in its analysis of past incidents of workplace violence.”
Check them out before you hire.
