Identifying and Dealing with Violence In The Workplace “The best protection is knowledge and awareness.” Brought to you by : The Housing Security Crime Prevention Team

What is Workplace Violence? Violence is not just a physical assault. Violence is not just a physical assault. Includes any act in which a person is: Includes any act in which a person is: Abused Abused Threatened Threatened Intimidated Intimidated Assaulted (Verbally or physically) Assaulted (Verbally or physically)

What Can Trigger Workplace Violence? Robbery/Theft Robbery/Theft Employer/Employee Disputes Employer/Employee Disputes Revenge Revenge Domestic Disputes Domestic Disputes

Common Types of Violence Disruptive or disorderly behaviors Disruptive or disorderly behaviors Verbal abuse Verbal abuse Threats Threats Physical violence Physical violence Sexual Harassment Sexual Harassment

Warning Signs of a Potentially Violent Person Does not react well to criticism Does not react well to criticism Expresses feelings of others “out to get them” Expresses feelings of others “out to get them” Does not accept responsibility for own mistakes Does not accept responsibility for own mistakes Has had recent encounters with law enforcement/police personnel Has had recent encounters with law enforcement/police personnel Praises or identifies with workplace violence Praises or identifies with workplace violence Purposely intimidates, threatens, or manipulates others Purposely intimidates, threatens, or manipulates others

Warning Signs of a Potentially Violent Person (continued)… Frequently angry or depressed Frequently angry or depressed Other persons are afraid or apprehensive about this person Other persons are afraid or apprehensive about this person Resistant to change Resistant to change Has a history of assaultive behavior Has a history of assaultive behavior Has recently spoken of or acquired a weapon Has recently spoken of or acquired a weapon

Varying Degrees of Aggression Edgy, aggressive, short tempered (Mild Aggression) Edgy, aggressive, short tempered (Mild Aggression) Uncooperative, negative attitude and/or behavior (Advanced Aggression) Uncooperative, negative attitude and/or behavior (Advanced Aggression) Verbal or physical release (Demonstrated Aggression) Verbal or physical release (Demonstrated Aggression) De-escalation (calming) De-escalation (calming)

Recommended Reaction to Stages of Aggression Be supportive, show empathy Be supportive, show empathy Be firm, make your limits and boundaries known Be firm, make your limits and boundaries known Remove yourself from the situation, call for assistance Remove yourself from the situation, call for assistance If any re-contact is anticipated, have a game plan in place [such as notifying your staff/co-workers to contact DPS if the person is seen in the area] If any re-contact is anticipated, have a game plan in place [such as notifying your staff/co-workers to contact DPS if the person is seen in the area]

Non-verbal Indicators of Aggression or Escalation of Violent Behaviors Tone of voice (escalation in volume, negative tone) Tone of voice (escalation in volume, negative tone) Facial expressions Facial expressions Body language (clenching/unclenching fists, pounding on a surface) Body language (clenching/unclenching fists, pounding on a surface) Invasion of personal space Invasion of personal space

What are Threats? Veiled threats (Better watch your back. I know where you work…) Veiled threats (Better watch your back. I know where you work…) Conditional threats (If you do not do this, you will seriously regret it) Conditional threats (If you do not do this, you will seriously regret it) Direct threats (I’m going to kill you) Direct threats (I’m going to kill you)

Dealing with Threats Stay calm Stay calm Assess the situation, trust your instincts Assess the situation, trust your instincts Do not argue with the person Do not argue with the person Call for help Call for help Do not panic Do not panic Do not beg or plead with the person Do not beg or plead with the person Do not escalate the situation Do not escalate the situation Do not minimize the threat Do not minimize the threat

Basic Safety Tips Never disclose personal information about yourself or others. It may be in your benefit to remove your home address and phone number from the University directory Never disclose personal information about yourself or others. It may be in your benefit to remove your home address and phone number from the University directory Do not disclose when someone is on vacation or traveling Do not disclose when someone is on vacation or traveling Never leave valuables out and unattended Never leave valuables out and unattended Do not leave wallets, etc. in coat pockets (jackets hanging on chairs, etc.) Do not leave wallets, etc. in coat pockets (jackets hanging on chairs, etc.) If you are leaving a purse, wallet, etc. in a desk drawer, LOCK IT If you are leaving a purse, wallet, etc. in a desk drawer, LOCK IT

Basic Safety Tips (continued…) Always keep money in a secured location (not in an envelope in an unlocked desk, not in a random drawer) Always keep money in a secured location (not in an envelope in an unlocked desk, not in a random drawer) TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS- if something does not seem right to you, it probably is not; get yourself out of that situation TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS- if something does not seem right to you, it probably is not; get yourself out of that situation If a co-worker or other person makes you feel uncomfortable, talk to a supervisor or someone you trust If a co-worker or other person makes you feel uncomfortable, talk to a supervisor or someone you trust

Basic Safety Tips (continued…) If you notice a potential problem, report it- do not let it escalate If you notice a potential problem, report it- do not let it escalate Avoid confrontations with co-workers Avoid confrontations with co-workers Be aware of the emotional climate at work Be aware of the emotional climate at work

What is Suspicious? Trust your instincts- suspicious is sometimes a “gray area” Trust your instincts- suspicious is sometimes a “gray area” People lingering in areas for extended periods of time People lingering in areas for extended periods of time Someone who seems to be watching for people watching them Someone who seems to be watching for people watching them Someone dressed to specifically conceal their features, and not dressed weather-appropriate Someone dressed to specifically conceal their features, and not dressed weather-appropriate

What is Suspicious? (continued…) Someone asking too many questions about something irrelevant (possibly creating a diversion) Someone asking too many questions about something irrelevant (possibly creating a diversion) Someone acting irate or belligerent for seemingly no reason Someone acting irate or belligerent for seemingly no reason

Options for Dealing With Violence in the Workplace If you have concerns about violence in the workplace, contact your direct supervisor. If your concerns are not addressed or that person is not the appropriate contact person for you, contact your area Human Resources representative. If you have concerns about violence in the workplace, contact your direct supervisor. If your concerns are not addressed or that person is not the appropriate contact person for you, contact your area Human Resources representative. If you are the victim of violence in the workplace or have an imminent concern for your safety, you should contact the Department of Public Safety immediately, by calling 911. If you are the victim of violence in the workplace or have an imminent concern for your safety, you should contact the Department of Public Safety immediately, by calling 911.

Campus Resources: Department of Public Safety/Housing Security: Department of Public Safety/Housing Security: Non-emergency (734) Emergency- 911 FASAP: (734) FASAP: (734) Staff Human Resources: (734) Staff Human Resources: (734)