It’s an organization’s duty of care to ensure employees’ safety in their place of work. Unfortunately, workplace violence is alarmingly common. There were 57,610 cases of assault leading to days away from work, job restrictions or transfer (DART) from 2021-2022. In 2022, there were 524 workplace homicides, an 8.9 percent increase from 2021.
By its nature, workplace violence is often immediate and unpredictable, resulting in mental distress, physical harm or even fatalities. At the very least, those affected – whether victims or witnesses – will feel less safe at work, and normal operations may be significantly disrupted.
How can you best protect your people and operations from workplace violence? No security professional wants to miss significant warning signs. But before you can act, you must be aware – not only of the critical event taking place, but also of its potential impact on your organization.
Critical event management (CEM) technology is an essential component of any workplace violence protection plan. CEM can help you anticipate, plan for and respond confidently to workplace violence, ensuring your employees remain safe and informed while maintaining business continuity.
Take Proactive Measures Against Workplace Violence
A proactive approach is key to minimizing the impacts of workplace violence on your organization. Some states now require proactive steps by law. On September 30, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom of California signed Senate Bill (SB) No. 553, which mandates that virtually all California employers implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan as of July 1, 2024.
So, what are the key capabilities to look for when seeking to strengthen your preparedness?
A CEM platform that enables risk and security leaders to analyze historical risk data helps you better understand the risk exposure at specific locations so you can develop informed and comprehensive security strategies. For example, insight into local crime trends and the risks associated with a particular site can help you decide whether to open a new facility and how to best protect it. Historical risk reporting provides fact-based evidence for effectively allocating security resources, like personnel, access controls or surveillance cameras.
Even if you have access to the best CEM technology, expert advice can take your workplace violence planning to the next level. With deep insights into the dynamic risks specific to your needs, on-demand analysts can provide services like location analysis, event strategies and detailed intelligence reports to bolster organizational resilience.
Respond to Workplace Violence in Real Time
From internal incidents between colleagues to active assailants and violent intruders, workplace violence can be unexpected and unpredictable. It’s crucial to prepare for different scenarios in advance so you can respond as quickly as possible and mitigate the impacts.
When it comes to workplace violence risk management, you must be able to answer questions like:
- What exactly is happening?
- Where is it taking place?
- Is the event over or ongoing?
- Which employees or facilities are impacted?
A CEM platform with risk intelligence capabilities provides real-time alerts so you get the latest information about critical situations in your facilities. An AI-powered engine uses machine learning to filter data from multiple sources, delivering live updates with relevant, reliable information so you can take decisive action.
The faster you respond to workplace violence, the faster you can resume normal operations. One valuable way to ensure real-time readiness is by running tabletop scenarios. These simulated exercises are a practical way to prepare for high-stress situations in a no-fault environment, so your team knows exactly what to do when activating a real-life response.
Keep Employees Safe With Effective Communications
Every employee deserves to feel safe at work, and it’s your responsibility to ensure their security. Timely, clear communications during and after a workplace violence incident minimizes disruption to operations and improves employees’ trust in your ability to protect them.
Once again, a proactive approach saves time during an emergency. A mass notification system that allows you to pre-load contact groups and draft messages in advance lets you send alerts and notifications in just a few clicks. Your solution should be redundant and cloud-based, enabling you to send alerts even during a system outage.
Effective communication is the best way to make sure everyone knows what to do during a critical event. For example, on-site employees might need to shelter in place while an active shooter is in the building, but employees on the next shift should stay away. Geo-targeted alerts ensure everyone affected can take the best course of action to stay safe without unnecessarily alarming people in other locations.
Multi-modal communications are also a must. Employees should be able to choose their preferred delivery method, so they’ll know what to check during an emergency. Silent alerts, such as those sent in-app or by email, are especially important to avoid setting off a cacophony of cell phones during an active assailant event.
Empower employees with ways to actively communicate during a crisis. Two-way messaging allows you to check in with your team, assess their status and coordinate your response. Transparent communication demonstrates your commitment to their safety and improves organizational resilience.
Choosing Your Partner in Workplace Violence Protection
In today’s unpredictable world, safeguarding your organization from workplace violence requires more than just reactive measures. It demands a proactive, comprehensive approach leveraging the best technology and expertise available.
Contact us to learn how we can help you build a safer, more resilient workplace.
