Workplace Violence Rates Nearly Triple in Past Ten Years

    RALEIGH, NC, February 17, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- It was late afternoon, when Ahmed Nah was working for a men's clothing store in a Knoxville mall last October. That was when he was confronted by 42-year-old William Johnson who began an argument with him. Johnson shot Nah once and then ordered another customer to the floor. Johnson then shot the 29-year-old employee several more times before fleeing. The reason for the murder, according to Knoxville police, was because Johnson was upset about his clothing purchase. This was not a robbery, a disgruntled employee or even a case of domestic violence spilling over to the workplace; it was a customer who was angry about the clothes he bought.

Perhaps one of the most tragic aspects of this type of workplace violence is its dramatic rise. While the overall rates for workplace violence have dropped significantly in the past ten years, homicides from customers and clients has steadily grown from 25 in 1997 to 74 workplace murders in 2007. These figures, provided by the Office of Safety and Health Statistics at the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, show unexpected trends of workplace violence based on the type of perpetrator.

As with other years, the 610 workplace homicides that occurred in 2007 were usually robbery-related. Industries such as taxi cabs, grocery stores, fast food restaurants and late night retail establishments have long recognized the risk but better security measures, employee training and the overall drop in violent crime has seen improvements. Incidents of domestic violence, whether it was a spouse or other intimate relation, generally had the lowest number of occupational homicides but recent studies have shown its non-lethal though costly impact on job performance. The commonly considered type of workplace violence, committed by an employee or recently fired worker, fluctuated greatly but reveals the 1997 rate of 56 murders matching close to the 58 deaths in 2007. It may be the increase of awareness and the 24 hour news cycle that tends to keep this type of workplace violence in the forefront of public consciousness.

But it is those that serve the public that are keenly aware of their growing risk. Social services, health care and government workers frequently are assaulted by the very people that they are trying to serve. One of the most hazardous tasks involves the removal of a child from a home, a role of Child Protective Services. In October 2006, a Kentucky social worker was actually bringing an infant back to the mother for a visit when Renee Terrell and her boyfriend. Christopher Wayne Luttrell, killed the 67-year-old Boni Frederick and fled with the baby only to be caught 3 days later.

This risk is no longer just being accepted. "People used to think that being kicked and spat upon was part of the job. We have done much to change that point of view," explained Jonathon Rosen, Director of the Occupational Safety & Health Department for the NYS Public Employees Federation. Unfortunately, Rosen does not see the trend diminishing, stating, "The budget crisis, staff reduction and hiring freezes will only make the situation worse, especially in institutional settings," as a lone worker has been identified as a risk factor in client assaults.

"It will take a coordinated effort of employers, legislation, research on effective measure and individual commitment to make a difference," stated Johnny Lee, the Director of Peace at Work, a non-profit agency dedicated to the prevention of violence, in and through, the workplace. Other countries such as Canada and the UK have been pioneers in the developing research, public policy and funding to protect their workers but the United States has lagged behind. "The greatest impetus for change is a lawsuit against the employer, which is a shame since it always comes after a tragedy," said Lee.

"Simple measures can greatly reduce the chance for an assault occurring in the first place," Lee continues, "including training employees in de-escalating hostile behavior, using the buddy system for visitations, tracking incidents of aggression with repeat clients and the layout of meeting areas."

"Risks can always be reduced though common sense changes which do not have to be costly," agrees Stephen Madarasz, the Director of Communications for New York's Civil Service Employees Association. An example he shared was the tragedy in Watkins Glen, NY during October 1992. A man who failed to pay child support entered the county building and murdered 4 workers before killing himself. On that day, the agency had 4 entrances, most of them unguarded. Management determined that one entrance was safer and implemented security measures.

Indeed, one of the most vulnerable positions is the front desk receptionist who acts as the gate-keeper for most agencies and companies. That is why Lee is offering a free Front Desk Security Guide to help these guardians develop their security protocols and prepare for hostile encounters.

"Perhaps the greatest risk is that they are often alone when they are confronted with an angry client," stated Lee. Seeing a need for an affordable means to summon support discreetly, he developed the ePanic Button, a software program that sends emails, text messages and pop up alerts through a worker's computer. "Not only can it instantly and discreetly summon support but it provides report generation for tracking purposes." It is this data that supports program development and funding. While fear of the fired employee returning with a gun gets most attention, it is the alarming trend of client instigated violence that needs to be addressed.

As the economy continues to falter, many workplace violence experts anticipate that there will be a rise in shootings. But the laid off worker may not be venting their frustrations on their previous employer. Many of those in distress will be seeking support from human services and upset about the mounting bills that they must pay. The employees that work with this public will need to prepare for the continuing increase client aggression.

For more information, contact
Johnny Lee
[email protected]
919.274.5515

Source: Peace at Work
Website: www.peaceatwork.org

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