Along with being physically damaging, workplace violence may include threatening body language or verbal abuse. Today, it has become a serious crime for business owners and their employees. Workplace violence may happen in different ways and if you get involved you may be injured. If you suffer injuries and you need help with your case, consider Los Angeles workplace violence attorney who has experience in such cases. Some workplace violence may be unavoidable; however, there are preventive measures that business owners need to take to create and maintain a workplace that is safe and violence-free. Let’s take a look at three ways you can be proactive in reducing workplace violence at your place of work.
- Create a policy that prevents violence. As a business owner, you should enforce a zero-violence tolerance policy. This can be done by setting strict policies that any kind of workplace violence will not be tolerated. Safety expectations should be clearly communicated to employees by employers. Employers should also let employees know that violence will be investigated. It’s also important for employers to encourage employees to report any incident that involves violence to local authorities and management. A business owner should promise to keep workers safe by providing a clearly written policy.
- Safety training. It is important for business owners to provide training to their employees. Workers should be trained on how to recognize threatening situations or dangerous conduct. There are violence prevention programs that emphasize conflict-solving strategies. It is recommended that every employee should complete these programs. If you are a business owner and you want to find a reputable provider of violence prevention training, you should consult law enforcement agencies or your insurance. This training does not only help in reducing conflict but it reduces the chances of an employee getting injured and property damage.
- Workplace security. It is an obligation for a business owner to improve the security of their workplace. For instance, if you own a retail business where a lot of cash is exchanged, you should provide safe payment methods such as paying via credit cards so as to minimize the use of cash, especially during the late-night hours. Also, installing video surveillance cameras and silent alarms, and improved security lights is a property improvement that can potentially reduce the chances of your business being targeted for violence.
Unfortunately, these ways may not completely eliminate the potential for violence. In case an employee is a victim of the violence, it is important for him or her to seek an appropriate medical evaluation and treatment. If possible, the victim should report the incident to law enforcement. In addition, to ensure that management is committed to a violence-free workplace, business owners should discuss the incidents with other workers and suggest ways to make the business safer. Implementing these proactive steps will not only reduce violence at your workplace but also prevent your employees from being victims.
