With a contentious political environment and consumer confidence at new lows, employees are feeling tremendous insecurity about their jobs and their futures. During periods of political and economic uncertainty, violence tends to rise in the workplace. It is critical that managers and supervisors vigilantly guard against violence.
Frequently, there are obvious signals given by employees, customers or venders prior to committing acts of violence. An individual who exhibits some of the following warning signs may have a propensity for violence and should be monitored by management.
- Exhibits argumentative or uncooperative behavior;
- Holds grudges, especially against supervisors;
- Has a history of interpersonal conflict;
- Has been fired or laid off or is expecting to be soon;
- Engages in physical or verbal intimidation;
- Has alcohol or drug abuse problems;
- Has a fascination with weapons;
- Has difficulty controlling temper;
- Becomes irritated easily;
- Displays decreased social connections;
- Has asked for help in the past, but did not receive it;
- Is experiencing a personal crisis such as divorce or the death of a loved one.
While these warning signs by themselves may not indicate violence, managers must determine the overall impact of these behaviors on the organization and initiate action accordingly. Threats of violence, temper tantrums or other irrational behavior should be reported to management immediately.
Strategic planning is essential
To succeed in business today, organizations must align their energy and resources to meet the changes forced on them by a dynamic market. Strategic planning is the process that ensures all stakeholders are working together to create the competitive advantage that enables the organization to thrive in the midst of chaos. Through strategic planning, BAI assists organizations implement a process in which tactical goals are clarified and linked to the business outcomes that drive organization success.
To learn more about this and other BAI services and workshops, call us today at 801.444.9919.
