Be a Guardian. Observe Respnd Reprt Wrkplace Vilence (MT-B-01) Offline Study Guide MT-B-01 is designed fr supervisrs in the U.S. Cast Guard Wrkfrce. 1-800-USCG-WLS Reach Wrk-Life www.wrklife4yu.cm Wrk-Life n the Web Last Updated 04NOV09 1-800-USCG-WLS Reach Wrk-Life
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What shuld I take away frm the curse? 1. Vilent behavir is recgnizable, can be prevented, and requires actin. As a supervisr, it is yur respnsibility t maintain awareness, recgnize signs leading t escalatin, and t respnd t prevent vilent r threatening behavir reaching the next level. 2. Vilent behavir includes bth verbal threats and physical actins. Recgnizing vilent behavirs and respnding apprpriately is key t a supervisr s rle in maintaining a healthy wrkplace. 3. Vilence is nrmally preceded by abnrmal behavir and visible frustratin. When yu, as a supervisr, can pick up n the signs f vilent behavir yu have the pwer t prevent prblems befre they happen. This learning pprtunity will help yu t assess situatins and respnd t them apprpriately. As a supervisr f Cast Guard emplyees yu must be able t answer these questins: What is wrkplace vilence? Wh may be perpetratrs f vilence? Hw d I recgnize warning signs? Hw d I respnd? Supervisrs are uniquely psitined t influence and defuse situatins befre they turn int vilent situatins. Hw d I cmplete the curse? The Cast Guard Mandatry Training series is delivered in tw mdes. The ffline mde still requires members t cmplete the nline Test-ut r the sectin activities t gain cmpletin in TMT. Once yu finish wrking thrugh the ffline study guide, return t the nline curse t testut r cmplete activity sectins t gain credit fr the curse. Yu may use the study guide t help yu cmplete the test. Curse sectins 3 Intrductin 7 Defining Wrkplace Vilence and Threatening Behavir 13 Identifying Visible Signs and Ptential Perpetratrs 17 Recgnizing and Respnding t Threatening r Vilent Behavirs 27 Resurce: WPV Preventin Pster 1
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Intrductin t Wrkplace Vilence The signs that precede wrkplace vilence are ften clear and the resulting vilence is preventable thrugh early actin. Vilent behavir is recgnizable, can be prevented, and requires actin. Vilent behavir includes bth verbal threats and physical actins. Vilence is nrmally preceded by abnrmal behavir and visible frustratin. Which f the fllwing d yu think is true f emplyees that exhibit vilent behavir? Mst vilent ffenders wake up ut f the blue and decide that tday is the day Unchecked frustratin builds up ver time until emtin verrides judgment Shrt f severe illness, mst vilent acts are the result f unchecked frustratin. It s always easier t lk back and see the cause f a prblem after it happens. 3
Incident: Fisticuffs Use the infrmatin belw t answer the questin fllwing the scenari. An active duty BM3 shwed up fr wrk ne mrning cmplaining that his wife wn t let him play cards n Friday. An ET3 began teasing him fr letting his wife tell him what t d. Irritated by the teasing, the BM3 pushed and punched the ET3. A fight brke ut. Tw ther shipmates brke up the fight. The BM3 and ET3 sustained minr injuries. The shipmates reprted the incident t their supervisr. The supervisr reprted the incident up the chain and t the EAPC. The CO determined that a CIT was nt recmmended since the incident did nt appear t invlve an n-ging threat. Bth individuals were taken t mast. In additin, the EAPC recmmended all hands be briefed abut the incident, identify the actins taken by the cmmand, and reinfrce the zer tlerance plicy fr wrkplace vilence and threatening behavir. D yu think the cmmand and peers f the BM3 and ET3 acted apprpriately in this situatin? Yes N The respnse abve was apprpriate and effective. Cntributing t a safe and healthy wrking envirnment is everyne s respnsibility. Hw many times have yu seen situatins like this play ut n televisin and in the mvies? Think abut this: Hw have yu seen things get ut f hand at wrk when issues weren t dealt with directly r apprpriately? Taken t mast describes a military nn-judicial punishment prceeding. 4
Incident: Gun Talk Use the infrmatin belw t answer the questin fllwing the scenari. During a smke break with ne f her clleagues frm dwn the hall, an emplyee was reprted t have made this statement, I like the way sme emplyees handle prblems with their supervisrs - they eliminate them. One f these days I m ging t bring in my gun and take care f my prblem. She als had previusly respnded t a casual questin abut weekend plans by saying, I m ging t spend the weekend in my basement with my guns practicing my revenge. A clleague wh heard the statements reprted them t the emplyee s supervisr. The supervisr quickly gathered additinal infrmatin regarding the circumstances and perceptins f danger experienced by witnesses wh heard them. The supervisr ntified her chain f cmmand. The CO determined that there was sufficient cncern t place the member n administrative leave and cnvene a CIT. The supervisr met with the persn making the threat t place her n administrative leave fr her safety and the safety f thers. D yu think the supervisr acted apprpriately in this situatin? Yes N This is based n a real situatin. The respnse described here was in line with bth plicy and management best practices. Ntice that the supervisr wasn t shuldered with deciding exactly hw t prceed n his wn. Supervisrs have many resurces available t help them make the right decisins in difficult situatins. Think abut this: Left unreslved, hw many ways d yu think that this situatin culd have played ut? Hw bad culd the cnsequences have been? 5
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Sectin A: Defining Wrkplace Vilence and Threatening Behavir Vilent behavir includes bth verbal threats and physical actins. This sectin clarifies the rganizatin s definitin f vilence and threatening behavir. Sectin Objective: Define wrkplace vilence and threatening behavir This sectin presents a scenari as well as an article that defines wrkplace vilence and threatening behavir. Read thrugh the article n the fllwing page t answer the scenari questins. The CO gave me a Page 7; I knw she desn t like me. I think she s trying t end my career, but I wn t let her. I ll kill her first! D yu really think that this persn is threatening his cmmander? Yes N What is yur first respnsibility in this situatin? Ignre the situatin Cunsel the member Call security r law enfrcement What else shuld yu d? Give the member the afternn ff t blw ff steam Meet with the member privately t address their cncerns Arrange a meeting with the cmmand and member t discuss the situatin Read thrugh the article n the fllwing page t answer the scenari questins abve and then check yur respnses against thse prvided n the Activity Feedback page. A Page 7 is a frmal dcumentatin f persnnel actin fr the recrds f military persnnel. 7
Article: Defining Wrkplace Vilence & Threatening Behavir - What Is It? It culd happen n yur watch. What is it? Hw d yu recgnize it? What d yu d? This article helps yu t understand what cnstitutes wrkplace vilence and threatening behavir, unauthrized weapns, federal facility, and Cast Guard plicy. What is wrkplace vilence? It is any act r attempted act f physical aggressin r harm by an individual that ccurs in the wrkplace. Sme examples are: Causing r attempting t cause bdily harm r death t anther persn. Acting r attempting t sabtage, destry, vilently damage, r deface real r persnal prperty at the wrkplace. Did Yu Knw? Yu cannt bring an unauthrized weapn abard a federal facility fr any reasn. What is threatening behavir? It is an individual s threat, either vert r implied, t cmmit an act f physical aggressin r harm at the wrkplace. Sme examples are: Threats by an individual t cause bdily harm r death t anther persn t include but nt limited t stalking, bullying r ther abusive r aggressive behavir. Threats t sabtage, destry, damage, r deface real r persnal prperty lcated at the wrkplace. Exhibiting unusual, bizarre, r menacing behavir r making statements that a reasnable persn culd interpret as ptentially resulting in vilence. What is the Cast Guard plicy invlving unauthrized weapns? United States cde prhibits unauthrized pssessin f firearms and ther dangerus weapns in federal facilities. Did Yu Knw? Military members are subject t dishnrable discharge fr vilating this law. What is a dangerus weapn? It is a weapn, device, r instrument, material r substance, animate r inanimate that is used fr r can be used t cause death r serius injury. This des nt include a pcketknife with a blade f less than 2 ½ inches in length. What is a federal facility? 8
It is any building r prtin, wned r leased by the federal gvernment where federal emplyees are regularly present t perfrm their duties. The Cast Guard als includes these places where unauthrized weapns are nt allwed: Gvernment wned r leased vessels and vehicles. Berthing areas n vessels. Shre facilities. Privately wned vehicles parked n gvernment wned r leased parking lt. Any ther area in which Cast Guard r ther federal emplyees are regularly present t perfrm their duties. T whm des this law apply? All military and civilians wh enter a federal facility are subject t this law. What happens t vilatrs? They are subject t fines and imprisnment frm ne year up t five years. Military persnnel are subject t UCMJ with maximum punishment f dishnrable discharge, frfeiture f all pay and allwances, and cnfinement fr tw years. As Supervisr Infrm yur members f the cnsequences f bringing an illegal weapn nbard. Remember This: Threatening behavir r acts f vilence in Cast Guard wrkspaces r prperty shall nt be tlerated r ignred. 9
Sectin A: Activity Feedback The CO gave me a Page 7; I knw she desn t like me. I think she s trying t end my career, but I wn t let her. I ll kill her first. D yu really think that this persn is threatening his cmmander? Yes N All verbal threats must be taken seriusly. This is a direct threat and is cnsidered a level 2 behavir. Direct threats must be dealt with in accrdance with Cast Guard plicy. What is yur first respnsibility in this situatin? Ignre the situatin Cunsel the member Call security r law enfrcement Accrding t plicy, yu can t ignre a threatening situatin and must apprpriately respnd by calling security r law enfrcement. What else shuld yu d? Give the member the afternn ff t blw ff steam Meet with the member privately t address their cncerns Arrange a meeting with the cmmand and member t discuss the situatin Yu shuld cunsel the member privately t address his cncerns. Stay calm and cntrl the situatin. Assist the emplyee t channel frustratin apprpriately and realize that there are alternatives. Fr example, yu culd advise challenging the Page 7 thrugh fficial channels. In additin, yu shuld ntify yur chain f cmmand, cnsult with EAP r yur EAPC as needed, and dcument everything. Yu cannt assume the member can reslve this behavir withut interventin, s yu dn t send him hme t blw ff steam. This situatin actually happened. The Cast Guard member was apprehended and had a weapn in his vehicle. There was a direct threat with the means t carry it ut. The member received a curt martial and served time in the brig. 10
Sectin A: Wuld yu be cncerned? Try t determine the reasns yu might be cncerned abut the fllwing statements. Each f the statements is fllwed by the reasns fr cncern. If my supervisr desn t apprve my leave, I m ging t knck him ut. Threats t cause bdily harm t anther persn t include but nt limited t stalking, bullying, r ther abusive r aggressive behavir are signs that culd lead t vilent behavir. Ms. Smith, I decide what is best fr this prject. If yu knw what is best fr yu, yu ll d what I say. Exhibiting unusual, bizarre, r menacing behavir r making statements that a reasnable persn culd interpret as bullying culd be a precursr t vilent behavir. I can t believe that yu just threw that stapler at me! That hurt! Causing r attempting t cause bdily harm r death t anther persn withut legal justificatin is vilence. I can t get this #!@$ bx pen and the parts I need are inside. I ll just cut it pen with my cmbat knife. Pssessin f weapns in the wrkplace nt specifically authrized by cmpetent authrity fr perfrming jb functins is cause fr cncern and respnse. Yu may have heard cmments like these in yur wrkplace. It s imprtant fr supervisrs t be aware f the indicatrs. This cncludes Sectin A: Defining Wrkplace Vilence and Threatening Behavir. 11
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Sectin B: Identifying Visible Signs and Ptential Perpetratrs Vilence may be preceded by abnrmal behavir and visible frustratin. Familiarity with the visible warning signs helps yu t identify ptential prblems and intervene befre smething happens. Sectin Objective: Identify visible signs and ptential perpetratrs f threatening behavir r vilence. This sectin presents a scenari as well as an article that identifies ptential perpetratrs and lists sme early visible warning signs. The scenari questins n this page are reflective. Think abut each f the questins as they are psed. Yu are late t wrk almst every day. Yu lk as if yu just gt ut f bed and yu smell like alchl. It lks like alchl is interfering with yur wrk! Think abut an experience that yu may have had. Have yu ever nticed behavirs that may have indicated a prblem r ptential fr vilence? In the example abve, d yu see any indicatrs? What are sme f the visible signs in emplyees that may indicate a pssibility that vilent behavir culd develp? D yu knw what t lk fr? As a supervisr, yu must be able t recgnize behavirs that culd develp int threatening r vilent situatins t effectively prevent disastrus results. Having the skills t recgnize the signs and act apprpriately can prevent escalatin and help yu t minimize drama in the wrkplace! 13
Article: Identifying Visible Warning Signs and Ptential Perpetratrs Wh may cmmit an act f vilence in the wrkplace? Are there any visible warning signs f which I shuld be aware? And what shuld I d if I bserve these visible signs? This article will answer thse questins fr yu. Besides incidents between emplyees, are there ther surces f ptential vilence? Tw Myths Myth #1 It can t happen here. Myth #2 It can t be prevented. Yes, althugh ne f the mst cmmn types f vilence at wrk is c-wrker t c-wrker, there are ther types. Custmers. Custmers wh feel that they have nt received the prper attentin r been given a suitable reslutin t their cncern may becme threatening r vilent. Persnal relatinships. Everyne has read news reprts abut wrkplace vilence incidents that stemmed frm dmestic vilence. Frmer emplyees. If smene was terminated and felt wrnged by that actin, there culd be a pssibility f retaliatin. Criminal acts. Individuals withut cnnectin t the rganizatin culd cmmit acts f vilence in the wrkplace, such as rbbery r bmb threats. What are visible warning signs? These are indicatrs f perfrmance and cnduct that may appear in perpetratrs f vilence. Sme visible warning signs are: Increased need fr supervisr invlvement Overreacting t criticism f wrk r jb perfrmance Disregard fr persnal safety Changes in behavir such as making threats Fascinatin with weapns and vilence Evidence f pssible alchl r drug abuse Inability t accept respnsibility and blaming thers fr their mistakes Did Yu Knw? In mst every case f wrkplace vilence, there were warning signs. These are nt spur-f themment decisins. It may take mnths t get t the level f vilence. Why wuld these signs be imprtant t me? Althugh these signs d NOT mean that a persn will cmmit an act f vilence, these may be indicatrs that smething is wrng and may indicate a ptential fr escalatin int a vilent r threatening situatin. Be bservant and cunsel the emplyee if the situatin warrants. Supervisr Respnsibility Ensure yur members are aware f visible warning signs and knw t alert yu. 14
Sectin B: Wuld yu be cncerned? Try t determine the reasns yu might be cncerned abut the fllwing statements. Each f the statements is fllwed by the reasns fr cncern. My bss is cmpletely stupid. Hw dare he tell me hw t finish my prject? Overreacting t criticism f wrk r jb perfrmance is a sign f munting frustratin. Dn t blame me! It s nt my fault that thers are slw in prviding feedback n the prject. Nbdy appreciates my wrk and my tls suck! Inability t accept respnsibility and blaming thers fr mistakes is a warning sign. Man, that tk guts! He planned that gym shtut fr mnths. All thse guns - ww! Fascinatin with weapns and vilence is a warning sign. I dn t care what my bss says. If he knws what s gd fr him, he ll leave me alne. I culd easily take him ut. Changes in behavir and making verbal threats are signs that smetimes precede vilent acts. Yu may have heard cmments like these in yur wrkplace. It s imprtant fr supervisrs t be aware f the indicatrs. This cncludes Sectin B: Identifying Visible Warning Signs and Ptential Perpetratrs. 15
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Sectin C: Recgnizing and Respnding t Threatening r Vilent Behavir Respnd t threatening r vilent behavir. Call security r law enfrcement, ntify yur chain f cmmand, and cunsel the ffender. Sectin Objective: Identify and respnd t threatening r vilent situatins. As a supervisr, yu must gauge the severity f the situatin and determine the apprpriate respnse. Remember, safety cmes first! This sectin cntains an article that clarifies wrkplace vilence and threatening behavir and identifies apprpriate respnses. Five scenaris enable yu t practice yur respnse skills. It s my ex-byfriend! I m afraid f him Yu will pay fr that with yur life! This guy bthers me. He really has a bad attitude abut the smallest things and he gets in my face abut it. Yu are such an idit smetimes! Use sme cmmn sense. Help me! I was attacked! Terms and acrnyms yu might see: EAPC Emplyee Assistance Prgram Crdinatr (EAPC) and EAP Cunselrs are trained specialists, prviding guidance t Cast Guard members n emplyee assistance issues such as suicide preventin, sexual assault, and wrkplace vilence. This persn can crdinate assistance fr victims and perpetratrs f wrkplace vilence and can als suggest strategies fr dealing with threatening r vilent situatins in the wrkplace. CIT Crisis Interventin Team (CIT). This team is a grup f persnnel frm varying specialties such as medical, legal, and law enfrcement, cnvened by the Cmmanding Officer t make recmmendatins fr mitigating the threat and reslving the incident. 17
Article: Recgnizing and Respnding t Threatening r Vilent Behavir This article answers seven cmmn questins abut vilent behavir and shuld help t clarify hw yu can recgnize vilent behavir and frame yur respnse actins as a supervisr. Are there early warning signs that I shuld be aware f? Yes, at this stage signs indicate a change in a persn s nrmal behavir and usually represent a lw risk f vilence. Early signs might include these level 1 behavirs. Did Yu Knw? Reprting verbal threats f any kind is a plicy requirement. It might be tempting t let it slide. Reprt vilent behavir immediately. Discurteus r disrespectful Uncperative Hstile r defiant Challenging, bullying, r intimidating Verbally abusive and/r frequent use f prfanity Argumentative r belligerent If I bserve this kind f behavir, r if anther emplyee reprts this behavir frm a c-wrker, what shuld I d? If yu bserve r anther emplyee reprts unusual behavir, yu shuld meet with the member, military r civilian, t address the behavir and ffer strategies t diffuse the stress r aggressin. Then cntinue t bserve the emplyee and dcument the behavir. Yur EAPC can help Remember that yur EAPC can ffer tips and techniques fr yu t use. Hw d I knw if a situatin is escalating and becming mre dangerus? If the early warning signs g unaddressed r the issues causing the early warning signs g unreslved, a persn s behavir may escalate. The fllwing level 2 behavirs may indicate a higher level f risk t becme vilent. Arguing with custmers, vendrs, c-wrkers and leadership Using physically intimidating behavir Refusing t cmply with plicy and prcedures Damaging prperty r stealing equipment Verbalizing wishes t hurt c-wrkers r leadership Sending threatening messages t c-wrkers r leadership Viewing themselves as victims f leadership Did Yu Knw? Email threats and cmputer sabtage are becming mre frequent. 18
What shuld I d if the member s behavir escalates? If yu perceive a risk that these behavirs will cntinue t escalate, yu must act quickly and decisively. Call the apprpriate emergency cntact fr yur facility r 911 if the situatin requires a respnse frm law enfrcement r medical persnnel. Take actins t secure yur safety and the safety f thers, including warning ther emplyees if the situatin warrants. Alert yur chain f cmmand. Dcument the behavir. Yur EAPC can help Yur EAPC can ffer cunseling services t yur emplyees wh may be traumatized fllwing a vilent situatin. If the behavir des nt require immediate medical r law enfrcement actin, intervene and meet with the emplyee t address cncerns. Remember that threatening behavir r acts f vilence shall nt be tlerated r ignred. Yur meeting with the individual shuld fllw the prcedure belw. Call fr assistance as needed t assess and respnd t the situatin. Discuss cncerns in a lcatin that ffers privacy. Remain calm and speak slwly, sftly, and clearly. Ask questins relevant t the emplyee s cncerns. Try t direct the aggressive tendencies int anther kind f behavir s that they realize there are alternatives. What kinds f behavir require an emergency respnse and pse an imminent danger t the wrkplace? The fllwing are level 3 behavirs that have a high prbability f leading t escalated vilence. Direct r implied threats f suicide Specific verbal threats with intent plus means t d harm Physical altercatins Destructin f prperty Acts f extreme rage Bringing a weapn t wrk Using a weapn t harm thers Stalking Supervisr Respnsibility Ensure yur members are aware f warning signs and knw t alert yu. 19
What shuld I d t respnd t these behavirs? If a dangerus weapn is invlved, take actins t secure the safety f persnnel first, such as evacuating the area. Then fllw the steps belw. Call 911 r Building Security. Ntify yur cmmand. Dcument the behavir. Cperate with law enfrcement. Cntact yur EAPC t request assistance fr yur emplyees wh may becme traumatized frm the experience. Remember that prviding a safe wrk envirnment is a cmmand respnsibility. Furthermre, ensuring the safety f yur emplyees embdies the Guardian Eths. Besides law enfrcement and my lcal EAPC, are there ther resurces which can assist in reslving a vilent r threatening situatin? Yes, the Crisis Interventin Team (CIT) is a grup cmprised f varius specialties that will make recmmendatins t the cmmand t prevent any escalatin f vilence r threatening behavir. The cmmand cntacts the EAPC and requests cnvening a CIT t address every instance that invlves a significant ptential fr further vilence. Crisis Interventin Team The CIT is cnvened by cmmand request. As supervisr, it is yur respnsibility t reprt t yur chain f cmmand and recmmend the assistance f the CIT. Yu shuld attend the first meeting and prvide the facts f the incident. 20
Scenari 1 It s my ex-byfriend! I m afraid f him. Yu are cunseling ne f yur emplyees abut her frequent unscheduled absences, when she tells yu the stry f what she s been ging thrugh fr the past year. She brke up with her byfriend a year ag and he s been stalking her ever since. He calls her several times a week, but she hangs up immediately. He shws up wherever she ges n the weekends and just stares at her frm a distance. Twice he watched her as she left the wrkplace. He ften parks his car dwn the blck frm her hme and just sits there. He s made it knwn he has a gun. Which f the actins belw d yu think are apprpriate t deal with this situatin? Tell her that she will be disciplined if these unscheduled absences dn t stp. Advise her t buy a gun fr her prtectin. Refer her t lcal law enfrcement. Refer her t the lcal EAPC and t EAP. Ask the Cmmander t cnvene a CIT t assist in handling the situatin. These are the apprpriate respnses: Refer her t lcal law enfrcement. Refer her t the lcal EAPC and t EAP. Ask the Cmmander t cnvene a CIT t assist in handling the situatin. Stalking is a serius situatin and is cnsidered a level 3 threat t yur emplyee. Yur respnse t her situatin shuld be supprtive and fcused n her safety. Yu shuld refer her t the lcal authrities and advise the EAPC f the situatin. Ntify yur cmmand and recmmend that a CIT be cnvened t investigate and implement a plan t rectify the threat. Let the prfessinals give prtectin and legal advice. Think abut this: Hw can an emplyee s persnal life affect the wrk envirnment? 21
Scenari 2 I can t believe yu did that! Yu will pay with yur life! One f yur female emplyees, fearful and shaken, tells yu that a male emplyee crnered her in her ffice, and tld her, Yu will pay with yur life. He was referring t her ging t his supervisr t ask abut his wrk. The female emplyee said that after making that cmment the male emplyee then just stared at her fr a few mments with his hands clenched rigidly at his side befre leaving the ffice and slamming the dr behind him. Hw wuld yu respnd t this situatin? Call security r law enfrcement. Ntify the cmmand. Reprt the incident t the EAPC fr his / her assistance. These are the apprpriate respnses: Call security r law enfrcement. Ntify the cmmand. Reprt the incident t the EAPC fr his / her assistance. All f these respnses are apprpriate. Even if this emplyee may nt intend t act n this threat, it was a direct threat and cnsidered a level 2 behavir. Cntact building security, lcal law enfrcement, and ntify the chain f cmmand. Cntact the EAPC fr assistance fr dealing with the victim and the perpetratr and cnsider using EAP fr additinal supervisry cnsultatin as needed. Think abut this: Remember that yur respnsibility is t ensure a threat-free envirnment in the wrkplace. 22
Scenari 3 This wman bthers me. She really has a bad attitude abut the smallest things and she gets in my face abut it. One f yur emplyees tells yu that anther emplyee has been intimidating him with her in yur face behavir. He says that the alleged perpetratr has std ver his desk in a menacing way, has physically crwded him, and makes menacing gestures. The alleged perpetratr is an average perfrmer, smewhat f a lner, but there have been n behavir prblems. Hw wuld yu respnd t this situatin? Call security t have her escrted ff the facility. Tell the cmplaining emplyee t ignre her, that she is harmless. Dcument and mnitr the situatin. Cunsel the bullying emplyee abut ther s perceptin f her behavir and its inapprpriateness in the wrkplace. These are the apprpriate respnses: Dcument and mnitr the situatin. Cunsel the bullying emplyee abut ther s perceptin f her behavir and its inapprpriateness in the wrkplace. Althugh the ffender has nt crssed the bundary t vilent behavir and des nt warrant a respnse by security, threatening r intimidating behavir is level 1 behavir and shuld be taken seriusly. Never dismiss an emplyee s cncern abut intimidating behavir; as a supervisr, yu must respnd. Assure the reprting emplyee that yu will handle the matter. Cunsel the individual that bullying is inapprpriate behavir and must stp. Think abut this: Yur bjective is t diffuse a ptential incident befre it escalates t the next level. Yur EAPC is experienced in handling incidents such as this and is an excellent resurce t assist. Perhaps the entire unit wuld benefit frm sme instructin and practice in cnflict reslutin. Always dcument the situatin and cntinue t mnitr. 23
Scenari 4 Can t yu figure that ut? Yu are such an idit smetimes! Use sme cmmn sense. After wrkplace vilence training was cnducted at the agency, during which early interventin was emphasized, an emplyee asked his supervisr fr advice n dealing with his senir cwrker. He said the c-wrker was in the habit f shuting and making demeaning remarks t the emplyees in the ffice. The senir c-wrker was skilled in twisting wrds arund and manipulating situatins t his advantage. Fr example, when emplyees wuld ask him fr advice n a tpic in his area f expertise, he wuld tell them t use their wn cmmn sense. Then when they finished the assignment, he wuld make demeaning remarks abut them and speak ludly abut hw they had dne their wrk the wrng way. Hw wuld yu respnd t this situatin? Cunsel the ffender and infrm him that rude and belligerent behavir will nt be tlerated. Cnsult with yur EAPC abut strategies and cnsider using EAP fr additinal supervisry cnsultatin as needed t diffuse the situatin. Advise all emplyees t ignre the rude remarks f their c-wrker. Immediately begin terminatin prcedures. Tell the reprting emplyee nt t make a muntain ut f a mlehill. Cntinue t mnitr the situatin. These are the apprpriate respnses: Cunsel the ffender and infrm him that rude and belligerent behavir will nt be tlerated. Cnsult with yur EAPC abut strategies and cnsider using EAP fr additinal supervisry cnsultatin as needed t diffuse the situatin. Cntinue t mnitr the situatin. Disruptive behavir can have a negative effect n yur emplyees and their perfrmance. Even if this behavir is directed at nly ne emplyee, the ripple effect can be significant. Cunsel the emplyee n his unprfessinal and disrespectful behavir. Yur lcal EAPC r an EAP cunselr can suggest strategies and ffer tips fr addressing this disruptive behavir. Dcument the behavir and cntinue t mnitr the situatin. 24
Scenari 5 Help me! I was attacked! Tw f yur emplyees have been invlved in a rmantic relatinship. The female emplyee breaks ff the relatinship, but the male emplyee wn t leave her alne. She finally has a restraining rder served n him at wrk. After the plice fficer serves the restraining rder, the male emplyee lses cntrl, enters the female emplyee s cubicle, and hits her several times and walks away. A c-wrker witnesses the attack and can crrbrate her accunt f the event. The victim runs t yur ffice fr assistance. Which f these actins are apprpriate respnses t this wrkplace vilence situatin? Call security r law enfrcement. Bring the perpetratr int yur ffice fr cunseling. Ntify yur chain f cmmand. Call lcal law enfrcement. These are the apprpriate respnses: Call security r law enfrcement. Ntify yur chain f cmmand. Call lcal law enfrcement. This was an act f vilence and is a dangerus, level 3 behavir. It shuld be handled by the prfessinals. Call security r lcal law enfrcement. Once n scene, security/law enfrcement persnnel will assume cntrl; if pssible, prvide them with a descriptin f the perpetratr. Furthermre, yu shuld ntify yur chain f cmmand and cntact yur lcal EAPC fr guidance and assistance fr the victim. Dcument the incident and cperate with investigatrs fully. 25
Sectin C: Cnclusin Wrkplace vilence is a vilatin f mutual respect and can be the result f mments f lapsed judgment. Be vigilant in bserving vilent r threatening behavir and take apprpriate actins t prevent and respnd t these situatins. Ensure that yur emplyees understand that it is their respnsibility t reprt threatening remarks r behavir and any destructive r suspicius activities. All emplyees als need t knw exactly what t d when they witness r receive a threat. Emplyees shuld reprt behavirs r activities they regard as threatening, suspicius, r ptentially vilent t avid escalatin f these behavirs r activities. Fster respect in yur wrkspaces. Help t diffuse situatins befre they get ut f hand. Be a guardian. 1. Vilent behavir is recgnizable, can be prevented, and requires actin. As a supervisr it is yur respnsibility t maintain awareness, recgnize signs leading t escalatin, and t respnd t prevent vilent r threatening behavir reaching the next level. 2. Vilent behavir includes bth verbal threats and physical actins. Recgnizing the vilent behavirs and respnding apprpriately is key t a supervisr s rle in maintaining a healthy wrkplace. 3. Vilence is nrmally preceded by abnrmal behavir and visible frustratin. When yu, as a supervisr, can pick up n the signs f vilent behavir yu have the pwer t prevent prblems befre they happen. A handy pster has been prvided t pst r distribute in yur wrkspaces. This pster cntains the basic elements emplyees need t knw t prevent wrkplace vilence. 26
Resurce: Wrkplace Vilence Preventin Pster The curse cntains a dwnladable pster that cntains practically everything a team member needs t knw abut Wrkplace Vilence. Yu can use this as a hand-ut. The pster can als be psted in a public place t help yu leverage peple t prevent escalatin and avert crisis. Dwnlad this pster in a print reslutin frmat nline frm within the Wrkplace Vilence Curse package. 27