This document provides information about workplace violence in 3 paragraphs: 1) It begins by sharing statistics on workplace violence, including that 15-40% of people report abusive or bad behavior at work, and between 1-2 million violent crimes occur annually at US workplaces. 80% are aware of victims and 20% feel daily fear. There were over 600 workplace homicides in 2007. 2) It then discusses potential perpetrators, with co-workers responsible for 44% of incidents, customers 24%, strangers 20%, managers/supervisors 7%, and former employees only 3%. 3) Causes of workplace violence are discussed, such as breakdown of personal support systems, personal factors like substance abuse or aggression,

1. Workplace Violence(We’re Not in Mayberry Anymore, Barney)

2. 2This PowerPoint is designed to be used by organizations desiring to provide training and education to staff about workplace violence. The slides alternate between a “notes” page (light background – dark green text) that can be used for dialogue (by a presenter or simply to be read by the viewer), followed by the descriptor slide page (dark background – white text and additional graphics). (Thus, the following text below goes with the next slide, and so forth.) If this presentation saves only one workplace from a workplace violence incident, I will consider this presentation a resounding success. Good Luck. LeeAnd here we go…There was a time, and some of you probably remember, that where people lived and worked was probably just as safe as Mayberry, the home of Sheriff Andy Taylor, Deputy Barney Fife, Aunt Bee, Opie and all the rest of the residents there. The greatest fear those folks probably had was whether or not it would rain for the Fourth of July parade. But…times have changed.

3. 3

4. 4I want to start by sharing some statistics with you that might really surprise you. Recent figures show that about 15 percent of all people will report serious or repeated abusive behavior, and between 30 and 40 percent of people will report that they’ve been victims of occasional bad behavior in the workplace. According to Dr. Stephen Hart, Director of ProActiveReSolutions, over 1 million (and possibly as many as 2 million) violent crimes occur in the workplace every year in the United States. He goes on to say that 80 percent of employees report being aware of someone being a victim of workplace violence, and about 1/5 of employees report being fearful of workplace violence on a daily basis.

5. 15% - some serious or repeated abusive behavior

6. 30-40% - victims of occasional bad behavior

7. Between 1 million and 2 million every year

8. 80% - aware of someone being a victim

9. 20% -fearful on a daily basis5

10. 6A final sobering figure is this: there were over 600 workplace homicides in 2007; about 500 men (about 10% of all men’s fatalities at work), and a little over 100 women (about 27% of all women’s).

11. 600 workplacehomocides in 2007

12. About 5oo men (10% of all men’s fatalities at work); 3rd highest cause of workplace deaths for men

13. Slightly over 100 women (27% of all women’s fatalities at work); #1 cause of workplace deaths for women7

14. 8Let me start by giving you a general definition of workplace violence, although you may be thinking “this is pretty self-explanatory. “ However, this definition might include more than you think. Notice that it includes verbal and behavioral threats as well as actual assault. This definition is critical, for it includes abusive behavior - such as gossiping, teasing, taunting, violating a person’s personal space, and harassing comments.

15. --DEFINITION-- A verbal threat, threatening behavior, or physical assault occurring in, or arising from the workplace Includes:Gossiping

16. Teasing

17. Taunting

18. Violating personal space

19. Harassing comments9

20. 10Although not overtly violent, these behaviors are important to include, because they are, or can be, “emotionally/psychologically violent,” and oftentimes, behavior that isn’t actually physical is ignored. You know: “That’s just how Bob is;” or, “Oh, Jane didn’t mean what she said, she was just having a bad day;” and so forth. But these behaviors are like bees or wasps; one sting every so often may only be annoying, not harmful, but repeated stings can cause one serious problems. And you never know if someone might be “allergic” to a certain comment, due to their background and personal history, which could result in their violent retaliation against the person.

21. 11Emotional/Psychological Violence

22. 12So, what is the “workplace?” Well, that’s pretty easily answered; it’s any place where an employee does work. Of course, that includes any off-site places where the employee goes to transact business – businesses, homes, inside or outside. When you think about it, the workplace of a sheriff or deputy, for example, would be anywhere and everywhere he or she happens to be. Don’t forget that the parking lot is also part of your workplace, as well as stairwells, elevators, and other places that would be more isolated than your regular work area.

23. The Workplace is:Any place you do work for your employerIncludes:On or off site

24. Parking lot

25. Less visible places – stairwells, elevators13

26. 14Let’s now talk briefly about the five categories of people that make up the potential perpetrators of violence. These five are co-workers, managers/supervisors, former employees, strangers and customers/clients. Think about these categories, write them down quickly on a piece of paper, and then I’m going to let you guess what percentage of workplace violence acts each group makes up.

27. Five categories of peopleCo-workers

28. Managers/supervisors

29. Former employees

30. Strangers

31. Customers/clients15

32. 16Here’s the 5 percentage numbers, in no particular order – 44, 24, 20, 7, and 3. Jot them down, and try to match each number with the group. No looking ahead!!

33. 2044324717

34. 18Hey!!!! No looking ahead!!

35. What percent of which?Co-workers …

36. Managers/supervisors

37. Former employees

38. Strangers

39. Customers/clients____________________19

40. 20The least likely group to commit violence is …former employees – 3 percent. This surprises a lot of people; many think it’s much higher. But that misconception is probably due to how much publicity those situations get in the media - everyone has heard the term “going postal”, for example.

41. What percent of which?Co-workers …

42. Managers/supervisors

43. Former employees

44. Strangers

45. Customers/clients________________321

46. 22Ok, bosses come in at…7 percent. (So now you can go tell your boss that you feel much safer around him or her!)

47. 23What percent of which?Co-workers …

48. Managers/supervisors

49. Former employees

50. Strangers

51. Customers/clients____________73

52. 24Next…are co-workers at 20 percent.