Getting Real About Workplace Killings

There is little doubt that workplace violence has increased with the economic downturn.  The bad economy causes debt, stress, and all sorts of worries.  I can make anyone half-crazy.  But some are crazier than others and act out on their impulses.  Some do so on the job.

This recent case at the beer distributors in Connecticut, where eight workers were killed before the fired ex-employee took his own life is always sad and startling news.  Few employers an avoid wondering what would happen if such tragedy occurred in their workplace environment.  Suppose it was their employees who were gunned down by some disgruntled employee who couldn’t keep his head on straight?    What then?

In a recent article on Boston.Com, James Allen Fox in his Crime and Punishment Column discusses the actual probability of workplace homicides.   He writes that at first blush it would appear that with 1,000 homicides on the job, this amounts to three workers a day falling prey to workplace violence.   But that statistic may not be as accurate as it first appears.    Fox maintains, and I believe rightly so that most workplace killings are as a result of robberies or assaults on police or security officers.  He maintains that workplace murders have declined over the last years.

Fox puts things into perspective.  The first blush numbers do not reflect the actual dangers employees may be facing.  Fox points to certain draconian methods, which no exmployer would ever utilize as these methods would deprive workers of their personal liberties.  Then there is the matter of legally implementing the more stringent measures.

But employers are  working to prevent possible workplace violence, by using training sessions and support groups,  counseling that will assist someone facing emotional crisis feel a little less lonely, not as alienated as he may first believe.   Fox points to more draconian methods.  There is also the increased use of background checks to ascertain whether employment candidates have a propensity for violence.   Background checks, especially criminal records search, enable employers to review their job applicants’ history for previous violent criminal histories or sexual offenses.

While Fox’s article focuses on homicides, an employer should also consider the somewhat less drastic incidents of workplace.   Sexual harassment, psychological and physical abuse are common problems within the workplace.    Fortunately, murder pales in comparison to the other issues of workplace violence.     I have written about workplace violence and in one article about workplace bullies, a pure joy to be around while working under stress in today’s economy.   This article was entitled, Background Checks to Weed Out Workplace Bullies.

As more and more incidents of workplace violence appear in the news, I am sure, along with myriad other writers and pundits, I will again be addressing this issue.  Check them out before you hire.