Tue, November 6th, 2012 - 11:18 am - By Gordon Basichis
I guess it is not overly surprising that most workplace violence that is committed in agencies owned and run by the federal government are committed by government employees. More than half the workplace violence is committed by current and former employees.
According to the article in Federal News Radio…”"Workplace violence can result in a number of direct costs to organizations and can affect employee productivity and morale, which violates the merit system principle of the efficient and effective use of the federal workforce,” said MSPB Chairman Susan Tsui Grundmann. “A second merit system principle, that federal employees maintain high standards of integrity and conduct, is violated when federal employees exhibit violent behavior in the workplace.”
The article provides tips on how to best prevent workplace violence. One suggestion is that agencies should revise their screening policies for anyone who needs access to federal facilities.
According to the article one area of focus in modified a screening process should includes…”"These populations include contractors and vendors who routinely enter the workplace but who cannot always be physically escorted or easily segregated from employees,” the report said.
The one recommendation we well understand in the article is the call for completing the appropriate pre-employment background checks. Background checks go a long way in weeding out the possible interlopers and violent offenders. And at the very least, the employer has performed due diligence to the best of its ability.