Violence in the workplace

When Does It Make Sense to Engage a Corporate Security Provider?

Responding to the Threat of Workplace Violence

After a minor disagreement, a long-term, female employee physically threatened several coworkers. The following day, the same employee stated that she would shoot the next person who talked to her in a disrespectful manner. While aware of the employee’s statements, the company’s management took no action.

Later, in response to allegations involving the the ftof inventory from the company’s warehouse, a supervisor met with the employee to determine her whereabouts at the time of the theft. The employee reacted angrily to the supervisor’s line of questioning. At the end of the discussion, the disgruntled employee left the company’s premises.
She returned that afternoon with a handgun.

Upon re-entering the warehouse, the employee fired nine shots. Before she could reload her weapon, several coworkers overpowered her and took her gun.

While the employee did not injure or kill any of her coworkers, several employees sued the company. They claimed the company was negligent because it failed to provide adequate protection for employees given the disgruntled employee’s past statements.

‍

Proactive Threat Management

While many employees express frustration and dissatisfaction with their jobs, few resort to acts of violence. However, in response to a perceived slight, an inequity, or termination of employment, employees sometimes commit violent acts.

The first step a company can take to mount a proactive defense against disgruntled employees is to engage a professional security firm to assess the threat level posed by an unstable employee. The initial threat assessment may justify deploying armed security or hardening the company’s physical security, including controlled access, camera surveillance, and the creation of a secure rallying point for employees in the event that a hostile party enters the workplace.

Ignoring the threat or failing to grasp its significance leaves companies with minimal defense in the court of public opinion or in courts of law.

‍

Interested in learning how FirstCall can help your company manage the threat of workplace violence? Contact us today at marketingmx@firstcallcss.com or call + 1 (415)7814300

‍