Tragedy Triggers Workplace Violence Prevention Series Feb 12, 2009
Fortunately there are steps companies can take to reduce their odds of workplace violence ... "Companies that train their staff to look for early warning signs and deal with difficult situations before they escalate into conflict are much less likely to experience violence." ProActive ReSolutions recently launched a two-part video series, in which Hart identifies the early warning signs of workplace violence and addresses conflict resolution strategies ... With layoffs being prevalent this year... (Canada Newswire)
Experts: Reasons, motives for violence can vary Mar 22, 2008
Speaking generally about incidents such as Tuesday's four fatal shootings at an auto salvage yard in Santa Maria, Yufik said those responsible for such workplace violence have different motives and different personalities. People are very complex, he noted. (Santa Maria Times)
4 men shot to death at Santa Maria junkyard Mar 19, 2008
Santa Maria police have not stated a motive in the killing, although Police Chief Danny Macagni told reporters that the attack appeared to be a case of "workplace violence.". Police were called to the scene about 4 p.m., Ast said. (Los Angeles Times)
4 Dead in California Junk Yard Shooting Mar 19, 2008
Four men were shot to death in a junk yard Tuesday northwest of Los Angeles in what police said was "a case of workplace violence," and a suspect was taken into custody ... "This is a case of workplace violence," the chief said. (Fox News)
Four killed at junk yard Mar 19, 2008
(AP) - Four men were shot to death in a junk yard Tuesday near California's central coast in what police called ''a case of workplace violence ... This is a case of workplace violence,'' the chief said. (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
Bishop Weeks to appear in court Mar 10, 2008
" In December 2006, Weeks was accused of workplace violence. He allegedly grabbed a female employee by the neck and threw her to the floor because he was angry about how she handled church affairs. Bynum and others persuaded the employee not to report the incident, court records show. Graves said he, too, had a run-in with Weeks. When word of Weeks and Bynum's break-up spread to the church, Graves said, Weeks blamed him. "He said I was the one spreading rumors," Graves said. "We had a meeting.... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Endicott hopes violence center will become national resource Feb 21, 2008
It applies to almost all students because you can have workplace violence in all careers, Brown said. This April the center is hosting its second conference: Workplace and School Violence: Identifying Risks and Developing Solutions. (Beverly Citizen, MA)
Spanish Language Business Tools Now Available from CalBizCentral Feb 20, 2008
California and Federal Employment Notices Hazard and Safety Training Paid Family Leave Pamphlets Workers Comp Pamphlets Preventing Harassment Online Training and mini-books Unemployment and State Disability Insurance Pamphlets Heat Illness Prevention mini-book Workplace Conduct mini-book Preventing Workplace Violence mini-book. "As we continue to expand our Spanish language product line, we want to make sure this information is available to the Latino community. A language barrier should not... (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
Pima County to pay $10,000 for intern's harassment Feb 17, 2008
He accused Elias and Huckelberry of covering up the incident by not calling police or following county policy in regard to workplace violence. "My office never tried to cover this up," Elias said. (AZCentral -- News)
Law firm slates Webinars for employers Feb 9, 2008
"Everything You Need To Know About Workplace Violence: Zero Tolerance, Policy Considerations, Employer Searches, and Other Lawful Responses". "How To Conduct a Legally Compliant Investigation and Limit Your Company's Risk From Employment Litigation" on April 17. (Tampa Bay Business Journal, FL)
Council to vote on channel fishing project Jan 29, 2008
The policy would address how and what to do in the event of abusive customer behavior, along with preventing and reporting any type of workplace violence. - Vote on authorizing revisions to the outside employment policy for the city, which would establish guidelines that would guard against conflicts of interest for city employees. (Albert Lea Tribune, MN)
IT security strategies benefit the whole business Jan 18, 2008
At EMC, a big focus of his job these days is workplace violence -- protecting against it and finding technological solutions for making dangerous places of the globe safe for EMC employees ... At EMC, a big focus of his job these days is workplace violence -- protecting against it and finding technological solutions for making dangerous places of the globe safe for EMC employees. (SearchCIO.com)
Indian Doctors In UK Often Face Verbal, Physical Abuse On Duty Jan 16, 2008
The most frequently stated reason for workplace violence was dissatisfaction with the service, including frustration with waiting times and refusal to prescribe medication. This has doubled as a cause of violence since 2003, when the BMA last conducted the survey. (NEWSPost India)
Violence's effect Jan 5, 2008
The impact of workplace violence on the health-care industry is enormous, exacting a heavy financial toll, according to a 2006 survey by the Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia. INJURY CLAIMS. (Globe and Mail)
County provides free family law assistance Jan 5, 2008
com - The Union Democrat Online. Published: January 4, 2008. (The Union Democrat)
Women make 60% of workplace official complaints Dec 25, 2007
BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Some 60 percent of official complaints of abuse at work are made by women, Argentina's Workplace Violence Advice Office said in a report published on Monday. Some 80 percent of official complaints are made for psychological abuse, 10 percent for physical abuse, and 8 percent for sexual harassment, the report said, adding that more than half of the abuse take place when workers make some other kind of demands on employers. (Xinhuanet, China)
This month's slayings remind of vulnerability Dec 21, 2007
Employers, co-workers and friends of troubled people can help prevent crimes such as the recent shootings, says Barton, who studies workplace violence. He recommends deeper background checks of prospective employees, speaking up when someone behaves inappropriately and notifying law enforcement when someone threatens violence or suicide. (USA Today)
Keep anger in check Dec 15, 2007
"Violence can happen anywhere and does happen at work. OSHA [The Occupational Safety and Health Administration] reports that 2 million American workers are victims of workplace violence each year," she said ... "The message should come from the top person down, and everyone should know what to do if they experience or witness an incident of workplace violence, how to report it and what happens when they do. They should know that an investigation will take place and that appropriate disciplinary... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Inquest into Windsor nurse's murder in hands of jury Dec 4, 2007
Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital lawyer Patrick Ducharme told the jury that, regardless of how its recommendations are received by the government or other agencies, his hospital's board of governors has pledged to enact any recommendations "that can possibly be implemented." Hotel-Dieu has been the first hospital to implement a workplace violence prevention program, Ducharme told the jury. Hospital officials have contended this was a domestic tragedy that happened to occur in the workplace. (National Post)
Arizona psychiatrist explores why people abuse animals Dec 3, 2007
He has testified and consulted in a number of jurisdictions throughout the U.S., participating in cases involving serial rape, sexual harassment, murder-for-hire, psychiatric autopsy, impaired professionals, domestic homicide, psychiatric malpractice, workplace violence, school violence, sexual homicide, stalking, spree murder, infanticide and mass murder. He also consults for law enforcement agencies about interviewing strategies. (FOX 11, AZ)
Dealing With Bullies in the Workplace Nov 21, 2007
According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding workplace violence prevention, in 2005: "Nearly five percent of the 7.1 million private industry business establishments in the United States had an incident of workplace violence within the 12 months prior to completing a new survey on workplace violence prevention. Although about a third of these establishments reported that the incident had a negative impact on their workforce, the great... (PR Newswire)
Taking office rage into the ring Nov 18, 2007
Over the years, he has heard countless instances of workplace violence, from the underling who threatened colleagues with a hunting knife to a subordinate defecating in his boss's car. He said that by far the most common complaint is that a co-worker isn't pulling his or her weight. (Globe and Mail)
Real Estate Lock Boxes Add Panic Button Nov 14, 2007
5 percent of real estate businesses reported incidents of workplace violence, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. GE Security expects that by the end of the year more than 130,000 agents in about 30 markets will be using ActiveKEY, the wireless lock boxes GE Security introduced in August. (ABC News -- Wire)
Deputy flap fires up public Nov 9, 2007
According to the Chippewa County Personnel Department s workplace violence policy ... The policy also states: Supervisors, Managers and/or Department Heads shall take the workplace violence concerns of employees seriously ... However, such behavior is also addressed in the workplace violence policy. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Preece sues city officials for alleged harassment Nov 6, 2007
Even he now refers to the threat as "alleged." Levine confirmed Preece had filed a workplace violence complaint against the chief, but there was no finding. Police made no arrest. (New Britain Herald, CT)
Employers' efforts to address domestic violence still have a long way to go Oct 30, 2007
And human resources managers are becoming much more active in dealing with the issue, said Garry Mathiason, a senior partner at the law firm Littler Mendelson in San Francisco who focuses on workplace violence issues. Luckily, it does not take a big investment to address domestic violence in the workplace. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
EEOC rep addresses chamber Oct 13, 2007
Bontke said the EEOC hears about several different types of cases but mostly the issues focus on what is inappropriate in the workplace, the English-only rule, workplace violence issues, employee theft, Internet policy and freedom of speech. "One third of our charges deal with sex," Bontke said. (North Channel Sun, TX)
Surf rage, latest hazard for Australia's lifeguards Oct 8, 2007
A trial scheme earlier this year in which specialists in workplace violence were brought in to teach professional lifeguards how to defuse hostile situations on the beach is now being rolled out to the country's army of volunteer surf lifesavers. Greg Hackfath, president of the Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association, said beachgoers are displaying increasingly short tempers. (Guardian Unlimited)
Butte County Meth Strike Force to host third Town Hall meeting Oct 6, 2007
Nationally, embezzlement, identity theft, employee absence, employee retention, and workplace violence, are on the rise. Property owners and property managers are dealing with problems involving meth contaminated housing and environmental hazards; discussion from the community on these issues is welcome. (Gridley Herald, CA)
Milardo: Accusations against McMahon politically motivated Oct 2, 2007
McMahon told the council the allegations that he was in violation of Groton's workplace violence policy stemmed from an "angry face" he made to a subordinate "because I dared to ask" why he was working overtime McMahon said he did not authorize. "I don't believe I was ever in violation of workplace violence," McMahon said. (Middletown Press, CT)
Town Hall meeting October 8 hosted by Butte County Meth Strike Force Sep 29, 2007
Embezzlement, identity theft, employee absence, employee retention, workplace violence and theft are all on the rise nationally according to the Butte County Public Health Department. In a news release received from the health department, it is stated that property owners and property managers are dealing with problems involving meth contaminated housing and environmental hazards; discussion from the community on those issues is welcomed. (Gridley Herald, CA)
Female worker shot to death at Rockline plant in Sheboygan Sep 11, 2007
But an expert on workplace violence said it would have been extremely, extremely rare for Yang to have chosen Wollenzien at random. Normally, it is by design, where the shooter blames one or more than one person for his lot in life, said Paul Viollis, executive with Risk Control Strategies in New York. (Winona Daily News, MN)
County has new workplace violence prevention program Sep 11, 2007
HERKIMER In response to a state law, Herkimer County has implemented a workplace violence prevention program ... George Pataki signed into law a bill requiring public employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence ... Employers who have 20 or more full time employees must develop a written workplace violence prevention program. (Herkimer Eening Telegram, NY)
Aldermen go along with Lowe's agreements: Hogan says city, North Hornell residents benefit Aug 29, 2007
l The Council approved a workplace violence policy. Hogan said the policy is driven by insurance companies. (Hornell Evening Tribune, NY)
Lowe's deals up for votes: PILOT, services agreements with N. Hornell part of annexation Aug 28, 2007
Other items on tonight's agenda include a workplace violence policy and a contract amendment with the state Department of Environmental Conservation. ONLINE POLL. (Hornell Evening Tribune, NY)
More of this story Aug 22, 2007
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration office has asked Brockton Hospital to send OSHA monthly progress reports on its effort to address the problem of workplace violence against nurses, according to a July 13 letter from OSHA to Brockton Hospital posted on the association's Web site ... OSHA based its findings on employee interviews and a review of incident reports of workplace violence at Brockton Hospital over a six-month period, the letter states ... Statewide, many... (Brockton Enterprise, MA)
Hospital urged to protect against violence Aug 21, 2007
The assaults have led the Massachusetts Nurses Association to call Brockton Hospital the poster child for the need for workplace violence prevention ... The hospital was not cited because there are no specific standards relating to workplace violence, according to the OSHA letter ... The steps include creating a workplace violence safety committee, a work-site analysis, and more training and education for staff. (Boston Globe)
Mall owners get aggressive in battling crime Aug 18, 2007
"And with workplace violence and domestic abuse, we also have to be aware of weapons being brought into a building," he said. Both Macy's and Westcor have staff specially trained and assigned to security detail. (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)
Workplace Violence Prevention Expert W. Barry Nixon Releases Findings From Research on Highly Effective Background Screening Practices Aug 11, 2007
He also stated that businesses need to understand that "A good background screening firm can keep you out of hot water, while a poor one can get you into hot water.According to Nixon, there are 10 Primary Factors to Consider in Selecting a Background Screening Firm: 1. Provides 'Full Service' background screening including: -- Verification of identity, e.g., social security, etc. -- Criminal and civil records; Felonies and misdemeanors (where allowed by law) -- County, State and Federal records... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Labor shortage a challenge for Essex County farmers Jul 15, 2007
A new three-year contract for union nurses at Salem Hospital includes a 13 percent wage increase, and new language to preserve retirement and healthcare benefits and prevent workplace violence. Top-paid nurses will earn an average hourly wage of $51. (Boston Globe -- Business)
Vital Signs: Nurses confront violence on the job Jul 14, 2007
"Workplace violence has really just been head and shoulders above that," said Bain ... A national survey, conducted last year by the Emergency Nurses Association, a national association for emergency room nurses, found 86 percent of its nurses reported being a victim of workplace violence during the prior three years; 19 percent said it happened frequently. (CNN -- Health)
Sidewalks, and More ... Jul 12, 2007
Sidewalk improvements on Aurora Street and funds to prevent workplace violence were unanimously approved at last week's Common Council meeting, held on the Thursday after the July 4th celebration ... Another item that was unanimously approved would fund a consultant to evaluate the risks of workplace violence at City of Ithaca facilities. (Ithaca Times, NY)
Hot off the press Jul 12, 2007
She wound up with 20 other professionals who submitted chapters on such topics as safe client movement and handling, shopping for a safe employer, prevention of workplace violence in the health care setting, the basis of disease transmission, surviving shift work safely and managing stress in the care environment. There's even a chapter on emergency management and terrorism. (Lebanon Express, OR)
Pay attention to anger on job Jun 24, 2007
Workplace violence costs employers billions of dollars in lost work time and wages, reduced productivity, medical costs, workers' compensation payments and legal and security expenses. Providing training to recognize and address workplace violence should be a regular part of an employer's annual training regimen ... First off, what constitutes workplace violence. (AZCentral -- Business)
About Force Protection Group-California Event Security-Celebrity Protection-Bodyguard Services Jun 23, 2007
From workplace violence issues relating to layoffs, terminations and disgruntled employees to dangerous or unstable environments for corporate travelers, About Force Protection Group (AFPG) has the solutions to help ensure their safety ... Threat Assessment and Risk Analysis Security Surveys and Planning Advance Teams Highly Trained Protection Professionals Transportation and Equipment Coordination Agency Liaison Worldwide Coverage Workplace Violence Hostile Terminations Plant Closings Specific... (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
ALP candidate was cited by royal commission Jun 22, 2007
Mr McDonald said he hoped that when Mr Rudd talked about zero tolerance of workplace violence he meant "that bosses that kill workers with unsafe workplace practices will be jailed". The Prime Minister, John Howard, said Mr Rudd's move was meaningless because Labor still had a policy of replacing the Building and Construction Commission. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Rudd urged to disendorse 3rd unionist Jun 21, 2007
Meanwhile, Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey has told Parliament Mr Rudd should scrap Labor's industrial relations policy if he is serious about a zero-tolerance approach to workplace violence. "Zero tolerance is getting rid of the links between the Labor Party and the union movement," he said. (ABC Online)
Scenarios aim at providing better response Jun 16, 2007
The first scenario the team worked through was a workplace violence situation where three workers with guns had taken others hostage. Unknown to officers or dispatchers, another armed worker was sitting in a car. (Fremont Tribune, NE)
Jones offers 'personality' program Jun 10, 2007
June 10, 2007 ONLINE EDITION. Two Edward Jones financial advisors will host two broadcast presentations, one a program for investors, the other a course for professionals. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Getting out of a dangerous workplace situation May 23, 2007
Join Bob Stuber for an online chat on workplace violence Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. Sometimes desperate situations he says require desperate acts. (KHOU.com, TX)
Analysis: Tragic Lessons From Virginia Tech May 19, 2007
And this generation, steeped as it is in violent images in video games, television, and movies, will give us workplace violence in the years to come, on the same, ever escalating scale. Again, I pray that I'm wrong. (Newsmax)
List of winners May 12, 2007
Runners-up: Toronto Star for a project on drinking and driving stemming from routine alcohol-related fatality; the Windsor Star for a project on workplace violence after the murder of a local nurse. Sports Writing Winner: Alex Hutchinson, of the Ottawa Citizen, for a story on the hardships facing Kenyan marathon runners enticed to compete in Canada. (Toronto Star)
Troy officer cleared May 6, 2007
Fitzgerald had said he warned the department's top officers that there was a potential for workplace violence. According to the mayor's statement, the threatened officer alleged that Fitzgerald told him "he could be assaulted at work, that his home could be shot at, personal property destroyed and phone calls made to his wife about alleged extramarital affairs.". (Albany Times Union)
Lawyer Sanctioned After Blowing Up at Process Server May 4, 2007
"A stranger should not be allowed to invade a private office even if he is dressed up like a security guard, especially in this day and age with the shootings and workplace violence that is going on.". Conroy says the process server threw the documents at him, not the other way around, and that the incident was caused by the server's "illegal trespass and inappropriate behavior.". (Law.com)
Allay ID theft fears -- spy on yourself Apr 30, 2007
Because of concerns about everything from terrorism and illegal immigration to workplace violence, background checks have become commonplace. The percentage of employers who say they routinely check references and screen candidates has jumped to about 96 percent from 51 percent about a decade ago, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. (SunSpot.net)
Ontario's Front-Line Nurses Mark 2007 Day of Mourning Apr 27, 2007
"Front-line nurses continue to be the most ill and injured profession in this province," notes ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN. "I will join others in remembering the colleagues we have lost on the job - recently to SARS and one to workplace violence." The final report of the SARS commission noted that health care lacks a culture of safety - leaving nurses to care for their patients without adequate protective equipment. ONA has been lobbying for changes to the Occupational Health and... (Canada Newswire)
Pender agency seeks tighter security Apr 23, 2007
"Shiver wants the additional money to install glass around the front desk to provide some type of protection for the receptionist.She also would like coded locks to be placed on doors throughout the building that sees more than 12,000 people a year.Security cameras record activity in areas inside and outside the building, and employees are trained on how to deal with workplace violence. The sheriff's office was called to social services three times in 2006."I don't think we need a security... (The Morning Star)
Parties mum on police inquiry Apr 20, 2007
"I was placed on administrative leave for going forward to inform the assistant chief of police of a potential for workplace violence," Fitzgerald said adding, "To avoid embarrassing the employee involved, I'm refusing to give the employee's name." ... "He was not placed on administrative leave for informing the chief of potential workplace violence." The mayor would only say that "Internal Affairs is currently investigating him.". (Albany Times Union)
Cho's words, actions fitpattern Apr 19, 2007
He has consulted with federal agencies on targeted violence, including terrorism, school shootings and workplace violence. "I understand that students in college are not high school kids," Fein said, "but schools should be able to do better than that. This is not to cast blame on anyone. There's no cookie-cutter solution, and there probably are lots of 'right ways,' but the notion of having a team that can gather and examine information and determine 'we may have a problem here' and then work to... (Huntington WSAZ-TV, WV)
Local facilities prepared for emergencies Apr 18, 2007
30-day news archives. "BREVARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS:Andrea Alford, head of security, said two $500,000 grants have helped beef up security. The grants have funded training for administrators and teachers, and mock drills.In addition, Alford said, 40 guidance counselors are certified to provide crisis support.District officials can reach parents through a reverse 9-1-1 system. All schools have an intercom system ."Anytime there's a tremendous tragedy, we want to be able to blame an individual... (Florida Today)
Local colleges appraise warning methods Apr 18, 2007
30-day news archives. That's the last thing we want. (Florida Today)
Businesses turn to high-tech for security Apr 18, 2007
"For instance, we've created a video series that focuses on workplace violence in different areas of the hospital.". Health First also has closed-circuit television that is continually monitored, and has a strong uniform presence when guards are on patrol. (Florida Today)
Southland Universities Speak Out After VT Shooting Apr 17, 2007
"Whenever possible, we attempt to identify problematic situations and address them before they become more serious."Multiple campus committees work regularly on workplace violence issues, and police officer training includes scenarios involving shootings. "Capt. David Carlisle of the USC Department of Public Safety said that security systems on campus are always being updated. "The university and our Department of Public Safety are constantly reevaluating the security measures we take to make... (CBS2.com, CA)
SoCal School Officials, Alums React To Va. Tech Slayings Apr 17, 2007
"At UCLA, protection of students, faculty, staff and visitors remains our top priority, and campus leadership works closely with the campus police department and units across campus. Whenever possible, we attempt to identify problematic situations and address them before they become more serious."Multiple campus committees work regularly on workplace violence issues, and police officer training includes scenarios involving shootings. "Officials with the USC Department of Public Safety said... (NBC4.tv, CA)
Crisis of confidence Apr 16, 2007
Some fear workplace violence may erupt ... Mr. Lawrence, who retired as a corporal, said he was speaking out now because the atmosphere in the RCMP between commissioned officers and the rank-and-file is so poisoned he fears workplace violence will erupt. (Globe and Mail)
