Workplace Violence - Type 2

Since opening the discussion on types of workplace violence last week our country witnessed an attack in Dallas that exemplifies type 2 violence. Type 1, which we talked about last week, is defined as violence committed by a person with no personal connection to the particular workplace. The FBI defines the second category of workplace violence as violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients, students, inmates or any others for whom the organization provides services. In this case a member of the public attacked members of a police department because of anger toward police officers, although the officers and department attacked were not directly involved in the cause of the attacker’s anger.

This case first gives us a chance to talk about what a workplace is. Before was can make plans for controlling conflict or responding to violence, we need to understand the environment we will be in and the challenges and opportunities in that environment. For many people work is either in an office or in a retail store of some kind. But even the differences between a gas station and a large department store mean differences in safety and response to violence. Offices in small buildings will have different exits and layouts than multi-story commercial buildings. People who work outdoors, utility companies, construction, landscaping and every industry will face unique challenges for their own safety. That being the case, it is important to learn principles and best practices and then figure out how to apply them to your own space.

One of the most common examples of type 2 violence is school shootings. Since 1999 there has been an increasing awareness and in some places a culture of school violence, a trend that continues. Hospitals are another substantial target, and in 2015 a Vermont social worker worker was killed outside her office by the mother of a client family. Banks and mortgage companies have faced violence from customers regarding loss of homes or investments, as have women’s health organizations that provide abortion services. Even churches, of any faith, are not immune to the threat of violence by someone bent on destruction.

Many of these workplaces are open to the public by design or indeed necessity. The business may require employees to go into the field and deal with people, such as utility workers that disconnect services for non-payment. Each company, and in companies with diverse working environments, perhaps each division, must consider the risks of violence and develop their own process for responding to it.

In framing a threat assessment for violence, some overarching questions to provide direction include:
1) What services do we provide that someone may focus on for violence?
2) Do these services put our employees at risk directly or indirectly?
3) Do these services put our customers at risk?
4) What different location or environments do we operate in and what risks are associated with each?
5) Are there methods of monitoring hazards or trends in our industry to give us notice of increased danger?

Also consider things outside your own business including:
1) What businesses around us may be targets for violence?
2) What places do our employees go where there are potential risks?
3) What are social trends or movements that might affect our business?
4) How do we quickly respond to changes or new trends?

Including questions like these into a complete threat assessment will help provide to most complete picture for your company to develop its safety procedures. Once you have completed the threat assessment you can develop a plan and train your staff.

Regarding type 2 violence, when the offender is from a group or population that is intended to be served by your company, there are some things that may apply:

1) The person may have working knowledge of the site, security measures and procedures and schedules of individual employees.
2) The person may target particular people or departments in the attack. That also means he or she may allow other people to leave, or walk past some people in order to target others.
3) The person may specifically target customers or may specifically avoid harming them, depending on the motives.
4) Train for emergencies. Talk to your employees about the company’s expectations and ways to respond in a violent emergency. If you don’t have the expertise, find a source such as a local police department, private security professional or at least look for online resources.

Intent matters. In an attack on a Florida school board, the offender allowed everyone but the school board officials to leave before acting out his grievance. Anti-abortion gunmen have shot perceived clients as well as clinic staff. In Dallas 11 officers were shot, five fatally, while only two civilians were injured. Although it will be difficult or impossible to figure out the actor’s intentions in the moment, development of plans and training that recognizes these differences can help employees respond faster and the ability to save more lives.

Next week we’ll discuss the third type of workplace violence, offenders that are employees or former employees.

Stay Safe.