A Leader’s Guide to Promoting a Safer Work Environment

© 2009 Magellan Health, Inc.

Objectives

1. Identify forms of violence that may occur in the workplace.

2. Recognize warning signs of a potential safety risk.

3. Describe interventions to support a safer, more secure work environment.

2

Office Scenarios

3

The Many Faces of Workplace Violence

–Threatening/Intimidation –Bullying/Harassment–Intimate partner violence–Stalking–Non-fatal violence –Fatal violence

4

Impact

On average, 1.7 million workers are injured each year, and more than 800 die as a result of workplace violence.

“Assaults and violent acts” represent about 1% of all workplace injuries and a cost of $400 million.

*Workplace Violence and Prevention Strategies and Research Needs. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)-Publication number 2006-144;http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2006-144/

5

Impact

Intimate partner violence is not just a “domestic” problem; it impacts the bottom line.

The American Institute for Domestic Violence (2001) estimates that of battered employees: 74% are harassed while at work56% arrive late to work 54% miss a day of work28% leave early from work Also, security personnel rate battered employees as a high security risk (*http://www.aidv-

usa.com/Statistics.htm)

6

Impact

The Centers for Disease Control (2003) estimates that intimate partner violence costs:

$5.8 billion/year in health related expenses

$1.8 billion/year in productivity loss

$7.9 million paid workdays lost/year

(*National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2003)

7

Indicators of Potential for Workplace Violence

YellingCursingThreatening language and/or behaviorThrowing things/destroying propertyNo tolerance for mistakesAbusive “jokes”Pushing/ShovingFixation with weaponsPast violent behavior

8

Indicators of Intimate Partner Violence

Recurrent bruising and/or injuries Hyper vigilant Psychologically withdrawn Emotional manipulation Domination Behaviorally passive Low self-esteem Isolation Need for secrecy Learned helplessness Traditional values

9

Interventions

If you notice indicators of workplace violence:

Call the EAP Workplace Support team 24 hours day/7 days:

Clinical consultation and follow-upDiscuss your company’s progressive discipline policyDevelop an individualized action planOffer on-site or on-line trainingInitiate an employee referral to the EAP

10

Interventions

If individual is making threats, but no immediate danger is present:•Notify relevant management or security per your company policy•Keep away from threatening person•Become aware of escape routes•Use other protective measures

If immediate danger is present:•Leave the area•Do not attempt to control violent person•Call 911 or 9911 (Note: make a plan; you may need to dial 9 first!)•Notify other coworkers as possible

11

Interventions

If something violent happens when you are around, e.g., someone pulls a gun and starts shooting:

•Barricade yourself (into an office, if possible)•Get down low with cover. •Don’t try to talk the perpetrator out of anything. He/she may continue firing at random; so just stay out of the way and try to help others do the same if possible.

12

Interventions

If you are the supervisor of someone experiencing intimate partner violence:

•Call the EAP to make a plan to support the employee and the workplace •Be aware of unusual absences or behavior•Take note of bruises or emotional distress•Contact HR to discuss concerns, resources, etc.•Be familiar with community resources and referrals•Maintain confidentiality at all times•Discuss who is appropriate to speak with the employee•Assist the employee in documenting all incidents that occur in the workplace and creating a safety plan

13

Interventions

•Make reasonable accommodations to address the situation.•Change a phone extension if employee is receiving harassing calls.•Keep the employee’s home address/phone number confidential.•Allow time off.•Transfer employee to a different desk, department, shift or work site.•Know your local police precinct phone number and how long it would take them to respond if called.•Have a security guard escort employee to car, bus, etc.•Alert receptionist and security staff if there is a protection order and post a photo of the abuser with instructions to not allow in the building.*From the “Safe @ Work Coalition”

14

Interventions

Do not counsel your employee about what you think they should do – this could actually be more dangerous for them!Refer them to the EAP and/or other resources for guidance and assistance with safety planning.Communicate that no matter what the employee decides, you will respect their decisions and provide reasonable support at work if requested.

*From the “Safe @ Work Coalition”

15

Resources for Leaders

Magellan Workplace Support Consultants24 hours a day/7 days a week Consultation Action planningwww.MagellanHealth.com/member (Manager tab)

Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violencewww.caepv.orgBest practicesCreating policies/sample policies

National Institute for the Prevention of Workplace Violence: www.workplaceviolence911.com/

16

Objectives

1. Identify forms of violence that may occur in the workplace.

2. Recognize warning signs of a potential safety risk.

3. Describe interventions to support a safer, more secure workplace environment.

17

Your Employee Assistance Program

18