Workplace Violence

By their nature, headlines focus on the spectacular. Recent events in France highlight the possibility of the special case of workplace violence involving firearms. While many are tempted to join the clamor to ban guns, but there is more to the story, especially at work.
Obviously no policy will protect anyone from a determined shooter. Not so obviously, innocent people who are armed, or have access to a firearm foil as many as 2 million crimes a year, including workplace shootings. (Just search “defensive use of firearms”.)
The tangible problem facing managers and supervisors is whether or not you have a workplace violence policy in place. Here is a brief video that discusses workplace violence, including firearms, and steps a responsible employer needs to consider in drafting or implementing a policy.
While the discussion focuses on the gun in the bad guy’s hands, it’s also worth considering policies that allow for the other possibility.
In any event there is no place for physical threats, intimidation or violence in today’s workplace. Obviously that includes guns. Do you have a policy that addresses workplace violence?

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