WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION:
A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Jon F. Elliott, J.D., Contributing Editor

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Available on CD-ROM or in a 3-Ring Binder; Annual Newsletter Subscription
Optional
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Employers can reduce the likelihood of workplace violence by implementing effective
prevention programs. These will reduce the possibility of violence as well as minimize the
personal and organizational suffering caused.

Learn how to manage the risks associated with workplace violence. Don’t be caught
unprepared. Arm yourself with the most powerful weapon available: knowledge.

Each chapter of the Practical Guide addresses a specific issue that can be translated into
elements of a successful workplace violence prevention program. In order to facilitate or
enhance/audit your program, the Practical Guide also includes numerous implementation
checklists, case studies, response protocols, model codes, sample reporting forms, and
reference documents from agencies and professional organizations.

The Practical Guide is updated quarterly because the world changes rapidly—you may have
to comply with rules that previously did not apply to your business, or need guidance on
dealing with threats never before encountered. Our team of experts will alert readers to
ongoing research and report on workplace violence prevention efforts in the governmental
and private sectors.

Overview of Issues:
• Assessing the preparedness of your workplace
• Assessing your risks and your liability
• Creating a workplace violence prevention program
• Step-by-step guidance on incorporating violence prevention into workplace routines
• Training your employees
• Handling layoffs, downsizing, and performance problems
• Evaluating premises security
• Responding to violent events
• Dealing with special issues: domestic violence, sabotage, mailroom security, terrorism,
bomb threats
• Fine-tuning for specific sectors: schools, campuses, retail outlets, healthcare facilities.

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WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION REPORTER (NEWSLETTER)

This newsletter is available as a stand-alone product or as a complement to the Practical
Guide.

The Reporter will:
- Keep you up to date on the legal aspects of workplace violence, illustrated through
case law and presented by experienced attorneys
- Provide you with timely expert opinions and commentary
- Present in-depth analysis of the issues associated with workplace violence
- Provide you with news items directly related to workplace violence.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(Note: This is a Summary Table of Contents. A complete Table of Contents precedes each
chapter.)
How To Use This Book
Acronyms

TAB A GETTING STARTED
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION TO WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AND ITS PREVENTION
A. What is .Workplace Violence.? A-1 2
B. Who Might Perpetrate Workplace Violence? A-1 4
C. How Can an Organization Create Effective Structures to Manage
Workplace Violence Risks? A-1 4
D. How Can an Organization Reduce the Likelihood and Impact of Workplace Violence? A-1
7
E. Conclusions: .Workplace Violence. Can and Should be Managed A-1 9

Chapter 2 OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS A-2 1
(Excerpt from The Gift of Fear)
By Gavin de Becker

Chapter 3 ASSESSING ORGANIZATIONAL PREPAREDNESS
A. Identifying Workplace Violence Risk Factors A-3 2
B. Assessing Premises Security A-3 5
C. Assessing Organizational Policies and Procedures A-3 6

TAB B CREATING A WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION STRUCTURE
Chapter 1 ELEMENTS OF A VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM
A. Benefits of a Formal Program B-1 2
B. Basic Elements of a Formal Program B-1 3
C. Adopting the Program B-1 4
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST B-1 6

Chapter 2 ASSIGNING RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Create a Workplace Violence Prevention Program Management Team B-2 2
B. Put the Team to Work B-2 6
C. Identify, Assign, and Enforce Responsibilities B-2 8
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST B-2 9

Chapter 3 WRITTEN VIOLENCE PREVENTION POLICY
A. Benefits of a Formal Policy B-3 2
B. Basic Ingredients of a Formal Policy B-3 3
C. Issues To Be Resolved when Designing a Policy B-3 4
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST B-3 7
Supplements

Chapter 4 DEVELOPING A THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM
A. Nature and Function of a Threat Assessment Team B-4 2
B. Advantages of Developing an Internal Threat Assessment Team B-4 5
C. Deciding Whether To Develop a Threat Assessment Team B-4 6
D. Composition of a Threat Assessment Team B-4 8
E. Training the Threat Assessment Team B-4 11
F. Threat Assessment Team Organization and Operation B-4 14
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST B-4 17

TAB C INCORPORATING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION INTO ROUTINES
Chapter 1 SCREENING JOB APPLICANTS
A. Issues Involved in Background Checks and Screening C-1 3
B. Develop a Formal Pre-employment Screening Program C-1 4
C. Common Elements of Pre-employment Screening C-1 8
D. Supplementary Information C-1 13
E. Obtaining Applicants. Consent C-1 16
F. Determining Who Will Conduct Screening C-1 24
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST C-1 27
Supplements

Chapter 2 EMPLOYEE TRAINING PROGRAMS
A. Rationales for Violence Prevention Training C-2 2
B. Topics for Violence Prevention Training C-2 2
C. Employee Groupings for Training C-2 3
D. Designing Training Modules C-2 6
E. Selecting a Trainer C-2 9
F. Organizing and Managing Your Training Program C-2 11
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST C-2 12
Supplements

Chapter 3 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
A. Establishing Job Descriptions and Performance Objectives C-3 3
B. Establishing and Following Performance Management Procedures C-3 8
C. Identifying Inappropriate Behavior and Other Performance Problems C-3 13
D. Addressing Performance Problems C-3 16
E. Termination C-3 25
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST C-3 28
Supplements

Chapter 4 MANAGING LAYOFFS
A. Mental Health Impact of Faultless Job Loss C-3 2
B. Types of Violence Related to Job Loss C-3 3
C. Managing Layoffs to Minimize Violence C-3 6
D. Fostering Security among Survivors C-3 14
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST C-3 15
Supplements

Chapter 5 EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
A. Components of an EAP and How They Enhance Workplace Violence Prevention C-5 3
B. How and When to Employ EAP Resources to Address Workplace Violence C-5 8
C. Choosing an EAP or Assessing the One You Have C-5 12
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST C-5 13

Chapter 6 INTERNAL REPORTING SYSTEMS
A. Why Have a Reporting System? C-6 2
B. Types of Reporting Systems C-6 3
C. Design Elements C-6 7
D. Publicizing the Reporting Program C-6 10
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST C-6 13

Chapter 7 EMERGENCY INCIDENT PLANNING
A. Common Components of Emergency Planning C-7 4
B. Developing Comprehensive Plans C-7 12
C. Lessons Learned: Ensuring Actual Preparedness C-7 17
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST C-7 20
Supplements

Chapter 8 INVOLVING LAW ENFORCEMENT
A. Applying Police Expertise to Workplace Violence Prevention C-8 3
B. Limitations on Law Enforcement.s Ability to Assist C-8 8
C. Workplace Violence and Community Policing C-8 10
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST C-8 13
Supplements

TAB D WORKPLACE SECURITY
Chapter 1 SECURITY PLANNING
A. Making Security a Priority D-1 2
B. Evaluating Your Organization.s Security Needs D-1 7
C. Practical Ideas for Physical Premises Security D-1 12
D. Premises Security Using People Policies D-1 21
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST D-1 30

Chapter 2 GUARDING AGAINST TERRORISM
A. What is Terrorism? D-2 2
B. Consider Whether You may Attract Terrorists D-2 4
C. Consider Potential Terrorism in you General WVP Activities D-2 6
D. Consider Specific Counter-Terrorism Efforts D-2 8
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST D-2 10
Supplements

Chapter 3 MAILROOM SECURITY
A. GSA.s Model Mail Center Security Plan D-3 2
B. Additional Precautions Against Anthrax D-3 4
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST D-3 7
Supplements

TAB E RESPONDING TO THREATS
Chapter 1 RESPONDING TO EMPLOYEE REPORTING
A. Receiving and Responding to Reports E-1 2
B. Tracking E-1 4
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST E-1 6
Supplements

Chapter 2 THE ROLE OF SUPERVISORS IN PREVENTING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
A. Learn Basic Principles of Violence Management E-2 3
B. Encourage Incident Reporting by Employees E-2 5
C. Manage Conflict E-2 6
D. Recognize When You Need Help E-2 13
E. Manage Your Own Frustration E-2 18
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST E-2 20
Supplements

Chapter 3 THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM INVESTIGATION AND RESPONSE
A. Current Thinking Regarding Assessing the Risk of Violence E-3 2
B. Assessing the Risk of Violence E-3 6
C. Additional Sources for Data E-3 10
D. Interpreting the Data and Assessing the Case E-3 13
E. Determining How to Intervene E-3 16
F. Closing the Case E-3 31
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST E-3 32
Supplements

TAB F RESPONDING TO SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Chapter 1 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE WORKPLACE
A. Overview of the Problem F-1 2
B. Understanding Domestic Violence F-1 5
C. Dealing with Domestic Violence that Impinges on the Workplace F-1 8
D. Employer Liability F-1 33
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST F-1 38
Supplements

Chapter 2 SABOTAGE
A. Workplace Sabotage Defined F-2 6
B. Research F-2 8
C. The Cost of Sabotage F-2 10
D. Computer Sabotage: Where the Real Numbers Are F-2 12
E. The Importance of Taking Action F-2 14
F. Who are the Saboteurs? F-2 16
G. Forms of Insider and Outsider Sabotage F-2 19
H. Practical Steps: What Employers Can Do F-2 21
I. Summary F-2 30
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST F-2 32
References F-2 36

Chapter 3 NEGOTIATING WITH A POTENTIALLY VIOLENT INDIVIDUAL
A. Understanding Your Reaction F-3 2
B. Negotiate F-3 3
C. Characteristics of a Potentially Violent Individual F-3 6
D. Effective Communication and Negotiation Techniques F-3 11
E. What NOT To Do F-3 19
F. Mistakes Will Happen F-3 20
Conclusion F-3 20

Chapter 4 BOMBS AND BOMB THREATS
A. Characteristics of Bombs F-4 3
B. Characteristics of Bomb Threats F-4 5
C. Planning Responses F-4 9
D. Dealing with Bomb Threats F-4 17
E. Dealing with a Detonation F-4 27
F. Lessons from 9/11 F-4 28
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST F-4 29
Supplements

TAB G RESPONDING TO VIOLENCE
Chapter 1 MANAGEMENT OF CRITICAL INCIDENTS AND POST-INCIDENT
ORGANIZATION
A. Planning for a Critical Incident G-1 2
B. Responding to a Critical Incident G-1 4
C. Post-Incident Recovery G-1 13
D. Issues to Consider After Post-Incident Recovery G-1 19
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST G-1 22
Supplements

Chapter 2 POST-INCIDENT ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS
A. Understanding the Workplace Violence Experience G-2 2
B. Preparing for Post Violence Assistance G-2 9
C. Assisting Survivors After an Incident G-2 11
D. Workers. Compensation: Implications and Considerations G-2 16
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST G-2 17
References G-2 19
Supplements

TAB H CASE STUDIES
CASE STUDIES

TAB I SECTOR-SPECIFIC CONCERNS
Chapter 1 RETAIL BUSINESSES
A. General: Workplace Violence Prevention at Retail Establishments I-1 3
B. National Recommendations and Washington Requirements for
Late-Night Retail Establishments I-1 4
C. National Recommendations for Taxi and Livery Drivers I-1 8
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST I-1 9
Supplements

Chapter 2 HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES
A. Applying General Approaches to Workplace Violence Prevention I-2 3
B. Guidance on Workplace Violence Prevention I-2 3
C. Requirements for Workplace Violence Prevention (Washington) I-2 6
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST I-2 10
Supplements

Chapter 3 VIOLENCE PREVENTION AT K - 12 SCHOOLS
A. Schools as Workplaces.Protecting Employees I-3 3
B. Schools as Schools.Protecting Students I-3 4
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST I-3 7
Supplements

Chapter 4 CRIME REDUCTION ON COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES
A. Clery Act Requirements I-4 3
B. Development of a Campus Risk Management Program I-4 6
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST I-4 37
Supplements

TAB J ASSESSMENTS FROM THE FIELD
Chapter 1 LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSPECTIVES
A. The IACP J-1 2
B. Guidelines for Employers J-1 2
C. Guidelines for Law Enforcement Agencies J-1 3
Supplement

Chapter 2 COGNITIVE ERGONOMICS AND EARLY INTERVENTIONS
A. Cognitive Ergonomics J-2 2
B. Organizational Assessment J-2 5
C. The Earliest Intervention: The Job Description J-2 11
Summary J-2 12

Chapter 3 EFFECTS OF CRISES AND OTHER DIFFICULT TIMES
A. First Reaction: Shock J-3 2
B. Aftermath: Solutions and Problems with the Solutions J-3 4
C. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder J-3 9
D. Solutions for Long-Term Recovery J-3 14

TAB K WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION IN OTHER CONTEXTS
Chapter 1 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
A. The Employer.s .General Duty. Clause K-1 3
B. OSHA Encouragement for Additional Voluntary Steps To Workplace Safety K-1 6
C. Application of the OSH Acts to Workplace Violence Prevention K-1 9
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST K-1 12
Supplements

Chapter 2 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
A. ADA Provisions, as Applied to .Psychiatric Disabilities. K-2 2
B. Preventing Workplace Violence While Complying With ADA K-2 11
C. ADA Compliance and Enforcement K-2 15
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST K-2 19
Supplement

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

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