Workplace violence is on the rise, according to research by Prince & Associates. The April 2005 survey of employers with between 300 and 900 employees reported that a startling 82% of managers responsible for HR or security said violence had increased in their workplaces in the last two years. Despite this finding, only 15% have increased spending to curtail the problem.
"Calls into our EAP also illustrate that workplace violence is on the upswing. In 2005, our EAP staff responded to over 200 separate incidences of workplace trauma versus 133 in 2004," says Marie Apke, Senior Vice President of Bensinger DuPont & Association, a leading provider of employee assistance programs. "Employers need to realize the significance of this problem and take steps to combat it."
Apke points out that employers who fail to protect employees from workplace violence can be held liable. Jury awards for inadequate security costs employers an average of $1.2 million and settlements averaged $600,000 in 2003 (U.S. Department of Justice).
Costs linked to workplace violence --- including business interruption, security consulting, brand erosion, employee consulting, and product tampering --- also rose from $4.2 billion in 1992 to $36 billion in 1995. In fact, an estimated $121 billion was attributed to workplace violence in 2002. (according to RCS cited from Jane´s Information Group; as printed in HR Magazine, July 2005).
While it cannot be certain what is fueling the rise in violence in the workplace, consider these statistics:
--- Personnel Resources Inc. Newsletter January 2002
Says Apke, "EAP counselors are expertly trained to handle a variety of issues related to violence in the workplace --- from counseling troubled employees, to assisting victimized employees, and beyond. The better managers become at identifying warning signs, the more effective they can be in working with the EAP to get the employee the help he or she needs." Warning signs include:
Behavior changes
Bensinger DuPont & Associates is a privately owned professional services company that is dedicated to promoting healthy outcomes for employees, the workplace, individuals and their families through a wide range of consultation, training and counseling services.
For additional information, Marie Apke can be reached at 1-800-227-8620.
Media Contact:
Cindy Kazan
Communi-K, Inc.
414.352.3535