1. waving arms or fists
2. excessive profanity
3. screaming
4. verbal abuse of others
5. threats against people or property
6. any behavior that intentionally endangers another person
7. refusal to comply with a reasonable request
8. intimidation, either verbally, physical closeness or gestures
9. throwing objects
10. intentionally damaging property
11. stalking
12. under the influence of alcohol or drugs
13. When any of these actions occur, the inappropriate behavior must be immediately brought to management attention.
1. “just the employee blowing off steam”, or
2. “we don't have the time to deal with it right now”, or
3. “let's not get all the other employees stirred up over one little incident”, or
4. “we cannot discipline him, or fire him without getting an EEOC complaint”, or
5. “the (victim) had it coming”
6. It is only a matter of time until the inappropriate behavior escalates into violence with someone getting hurt or killed.
1. Having open communications about what is not acceptable,
2. Providing ways for employees to bring unresolved issues to managements attention,
3. Intervening promptly in any conflict situation
4. Having both the aggressor and the other person(s) to provide the supervisor or manager with their understanding of the problem
5. Not allowing the aggressor to minimize the problem by declaring “it's nothing” or “I just lost my temper”
6. Setting precise expectations for what is acceptable and not acceptable
7. Obtaining outside assistance (police, counseling, union, etc.) if needed
8. Monitoring after the situation to verify appropriate behavior continues
1. To try to defuse the situation by responding calmly
2. To not take the bad behavior personally
3. To ask questions that show an interest in resolving the problem without degrading the aggressor
4. To understand and summarize the aggressors concerns or issues
5. To ask the aggressor to stop the inappropriate behavior with a warning of the consequence if the inappropriate behavior continues
6. To discipline or terminate the aggressor
7. To never escalate the situation by responding with physical force
Author Rebecca Shafer, JD, President of Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. is a national expert in the field of workers compensation. She is a writer, speaker and website publisher. Her expertise is working with employers to reduce workers compensation costs, and her clients include airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. www.LowerWC.com
Contact: RShafer@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com .
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Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers comp issues.
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