ASK AN ATTORNEY

Interested in working with us? Call us on 866.205.2415 or fill out this quick form and we will contact you within 24 hours!

Best Source of Up-to-Date news on workers' compensation and disability in New York

Could You Be Next? Predicting Workplace Violence

Posted on Jan 18, 2011

School shootings. Violence in the workplace. We are experiencing a disturbing trend in recent years where individuals or groups of people who are unhappy, unstable or unable to deal with day-to-day stress triggers are taking out their frustration on those in closest proximity. Sadly, the rate of violent incidents appears to be growing despite all efforts to prevent these senseless acts of violence. In response many companies and communities at large are trying to find ways to pinpoint who exactly is likely to commit such acts.

The problem with predicting future behavior lies in weeding out one or two individuals from hundreds or even thousands who match a similar profile. Taking what we have learned from past attacks it is possible to glean some information which may help prevent workplace violence, however questions will always remain to which we have no answers. Nevertheless, employers across the nation, including those in government or municipal environments must ensure they are in compliance with any regulations set forth to help predict and prevent acts of violence in the workplace. Being pro-active may be the single most important step in reducing these incidents which can result in serious injury or even death in the workplace.

Profiling may be a small part of being pro-active, however there are other steps companies can take to reduce risk to employees. As stated by James Alan Fox in Crime and Punishment, "The overriding goal should be to make civility and decency in the workplace as important a goal as profit. Companies need to upgrade and humanize the way in which they deal with all employees every day rather than focusing narrowly on how to respond to the occasional worker who has made threats, be they subtle or overt. Long-term initiatives designed to improve employee morale pay off in human terms."

It is also important for all workers to understand their right to have a safe place in which they perform their job duties. Employees suffering an injury as a result of workplace violence may be entitled to benefits to offset or cover lost wages or medical expenses. In these situations, a consultation with an experienced workers compensation attorney may provide answers to questions regarding claim benefits.