| If you are a human resources, risk management, or | | | | this person off, or it could be days, weeks, months, |
| crisis management director concerned about | | | | or years of pent up aggression that simply reaches a |
| workplace violence, let me ask you a question: | | | | boiling point. |
| Why do you think violent people lash out when and | | | | And finally, the environmental factor refers to your |
| where they do? | | | | workplace and the atmosphere, stress-inducers, and |
| Have you ever thought about that? | | | | other factors which create a certain "feel." Certain |
| Have you ever wondered why the people who | | | | environments lead themselves easily to violence, |
| commit violent acts... | | | | while others subconsciously tell the attacker that his |
| - Choose the victims they do? | | | | or her efforts would be wasted before they ever |
| - Act out when they do? Or... | | | | got started. |
| - Choose the location they do? | | | | To understand this last factor better, ask yourself |
| There are three factors which contribute to a | | | | this: |
| workplace violence act of aggression. Regardless of | | | | "When was the last time you heard of a police |
| whether we're talking about an act of violence in the | | | | officer, soldier, or security professional attacking |
| workplace, domestic violence, or any other assault, | | | | another police officer, solider, or security |
| the three factors are: | | | | professional?" |
| - The assailant's personality type and predisposition | | | | The answer, at least here in the West is... |
| toward violence | | | | Almost never. |
| - Contributing factors leading up to the act itself and... | | | | And the reason for that is the fact that the |
| - Environmental factors which cause the person to | | | | environment - the fact that the intended targets are |
| see the area as "safe" for him or her to commit their | | | | able and willing to defend themselves, virtually |
| act. | | | | negates the possibility of an attack before one even |
| While the first factor - the personal factor - is not | | | | gets started. |
| always a given, as in the case of medical patients | | | | Something for you to think about when someone |
| who lash out as a result of pain, grief, or medications, | | | | tries to imply that training employees to be able to |
| there are traits and characteristics that have been | | | | defend themselves against a workplace violence |
| identified to allow human resource personnel to weed | | | | attack only creates a greater potential for trouble. |
| out possible threats during the hiring process. | | | | Just not so. |
| Contributing factors are those things which do just | | | | Learn more about this and other myths and how to |
| that, contribute to the assailant reaching a point and | | | | attack-proof your facility in the workplace in the |
| decision where he or she chooses to attack. These | | | | Workplace Violence Awareness Guide To Prevention |
| factors could be anything from a trigger word, | | | | and Survival. |
| glance, or situation which routinely and habitually set | | | | |