Bernstein, A. (May 5, 1996). Workplace Violence: A Growing Threat. Newsday, 1-3.
This article addresses the growing number of incidents of workplace violence, most of it perpetrated by disgruntle employees or ex-employees. In fact, workplace violence is growing at such a pace in an era of downsizing and uncertainty about the future that is not represents “the leading cause of death for women on the job, and the second-leading cause of workplace death in general” (Bernstein, 1996, 1).
The number of workplace violence incidents has become such a concern on behalf of employers, employees, and the source of potential liability that in March of 1996, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issues the first federal guidelines aimed at preventing workplace violence among two occupations prone to it, health-care and social-service. As the chief of OSHA, Joseph A. Dear, relates “No one imagine that violent individuals would pose the greatest safety and health threat to working women or the second-highest risk to men on the job” (Bernstein, 1996, 1).
Employers generally try to downplay workplace violence because it equates to negative publicity. Further, most employers have failed to establish guidelines to insure workplace safety when it comes to violence perpetrated by individuals. While OSHA guidelines requires that an employer establish a “workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause serious physical harm or death,” only 28 percent of U.S. companies have an established workplace violence policy in place (Bernstein, 1996, 1).
This article is useful because it shows the importance for companies who wish to avoid liability in having policies that deal with workplace violence. It also offers preventative measures that can help reduce such liability, including things like Plexiglass barriers, assigning w
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