DB 09-15 Violence Flashcards
What is the City of Los Angeles Policy on workplace violence?
Zero tolerance policy
All ___ will be taken seriously and every report will be thoroughly and promptly investigated.
threats
Employees who act in a ___ or ____ manner are subject to discipline up to and including discharge.
threatening or potentially violent manner
Definitions:
Any type of behavior or incident in which an individual is intimidated, threatened, verbally or physically harassed, assaulted, injured, or killed at the place of work.
Workplace violence
Definitions: The term Hostile Work Environment is often confused with what?
Violence in the workplace
Definitions:
Harassment involving unwelcome conduct that substantially alters the condition of employment and creates an abusive and intimidating working environment.
Hostile Work Environment
A hostile work environment is based on ____
discrimination
Misconceptions:
Violent conduct in the workplace is not a ___ behavior.
not a spontaneous behavior
Misconceptions:
Analysis of past incidents shows that violent acts often have a ____
traceable history
Misconceptions:
The common belief is that more often workplace violence involves homicides. In reality, workplace violence involves what 3 things?
- assaults
- attempts to intimidate an individual
- instilling fear
Misconceptions:
Another misconception is that violent employees strike without warning or clue and there is no way to predict employee violence. Again, in reality, violent employees normally provide a series of ___
verbal and/or physical clues to co-workers
Characteristics:
Personal events that may precipitate violent conduct
- personal stress
- loss of personal relationship
- humiliation
- significant personal rejections
- financial loss
- legal actions
Characteristics:
Physical life events that may precipitate violent conduct
- disease
- pain
- other physical problems the individual experienced
- alcohol or substance abuse
Characteristics: Organizational events that may precipitate violent conduct
- deterioration of professional life
- job action/threatened job action
- non-promotion
- inadequate rewards/compensation/ acknowledgment/training
- poor supervision, communication, leadership
- politics
- favoritism
What signs are the most prevalent early warning indicators of workplace violence?
verbal signs
Warning signs: (1-6)
- withdrawal from others
- inability to take criticism
- increased irritability or expressed feelings of victimization
- display unwarranted anger
- belligerent or defiant behavior
- drastic change in beliefs or irrational beliefs or ideas
Warning signs (7-13)
- harassing, abusive, intimidating, threatening language
- indirect threats, paranoid actions or language
- fascination with weapons or acts of violence
- preoccupation with a employee
- violence towards inanimate objects
- lack of concern for safety of others
- productivity and attendance problems
Techniques for dealing with upset individuals (1-6)
- listen actively
- avoid arguing or defensive conversations
- don’t patronize
- use empathy
- maintain consideration of personal space
- create atmosphere of respect
Techniques for dealing with upset individuals (7-13)
- utilize problem solving
- team approach
- avoid counter threats
- take physical safety precautions or security measures
- have individual removed from workplace
- EAP (employee assistance program)
- have individual arrested by Police
Any form of violence or threat of violence, whether actual or reasonably perceived, involving a City employee and occurring in the workplace, shall be immediately reported to who?
A supervisor
Any employee who believes a crime has been committed against them has the right to notify the proper _____
law enforcement agency
Who is notified if a non-employee is threatening an employee?
- LAPD
- Bureau Commander (TELEPHONICALLY)
- Arson (through channels)
Immediate Supervisor Responsibility: All ____ shall be familiar with workplace violence issues and aware of the potential warning signs of workplace violence.
supervisors
Immediate Supervisor Responsibility: Who shall the immediate supervisor notify of workplace violence during business hours?
telephonically notify Departments Workplace Violence Coordinator, and Battalion Chief assigned to Risk management Section, AOPS, directly
