Recognition of Individuals with the Potential
for Workplace Violence
The risk of workplace violence can be minimized
by the careful observation of behavior. Specific stress factors,
behaviors, and personality traits have been associated, after
the fact, with almost every incidence of workplace violence.
The presence of several of these indicators greatly increases
the likelihood of violent actions. Most people will not just
"snap". An escalating series of clues usually precedes
an act of workplace violence. The risk of a violent outburst
is greatly increased when the following warning signs are
ignored.
Warning Signs
- Boundary crossing includes pushing the limits of acceptable
workplace behavior and continual testing of established
rules.
- Chemical dependence upon alcohol and/or drugs may agitate
or create paranoia and aggressive behavior.
- Concentration problems such as difficulty recalling instructions,
forgetfulness, repetition of errors, and staring into space
indicate a troubled employee.
- Depression can potentially cause sufferers to commit a
violent act either upon themselves or others. Symptoms of
depression include: despair, ambivalence, slowed work pace,
continual sad or blank facial expressions, withdrawal, self-condemnation
and self-destructive behavior, hopelessness, helplessness,
inappropriate guilt/shame, and poor personal hygiene.
- History of violence, including domestic abuse, is the
best predictor of violent behavior.
- Inconsistent work patterns and attendance problems including
periods of very high and very low productivity as well as
unexplained or improbable excuses for absences.
- Obsessive interest in weapons and violent incidents may
be revealed by preoccupation with hobbies such as marksmanship.
An obsession with an impending apocalypse, or destruction
of the world, is also common among unstable individuals.
- Obsession with the job causes a deeper sense of loss in the
case of a poor performance review or termination. These
individuals may be loners, having little else of importance
in their lives.
- Pathological blamers cannot take responsibility for their
own actions. They will not admit wrongdoing, even for minor
mistakes, always blaming other people, the organization,
or the system.
- Personality disorders can result in antisocial behavior
such as repeated fighting and domestic violence. These individuals
have little remorse about wrongdoing and will find ways
to justify their violent behavior. Mood shifts, inappropriate
anger, skillful manipulation of others, and a preoccupation
with self are indicators of personality disorders.
- Personal Stress can result in excessive personal phone
calls, desk pounding or throwing of objects, crying, lapses
in attention, and general frustration with the surrounding
environment. Debt, separation, divorce, or the death of
a relative can all cause excessive stress.
- Poor interpersonal relationships may result in belligerence,
overreaction to criticism, and verbal harassment.
- Psychosis is a loss of contact with reality which may
be manifested as paranoia, loss of association during conversations,
flat facial expressions, extreme ambivalence, hallucinations,
poor insight, talking to self, or bizarre delusions.
- Romantic obsession is a fixation upon and idealized romantic
love for another person. Behavioral signs may include stalking,
numerous phone calls, spying, and unwanted visits and gifts.
- Safety issues like recklessness and a sudden increase
in accident rate reveal lapses in concentration and disregard
for personal/coworker safety.
- Unusual/changed behavior includes verbal outbursts, inappropriate
remarks, and threats such as "they'll regret this".
A series of escalating threats is a particularly important
indicator of potential violent actions.
Revised: 7/22/2008 SB