Violence
in the workplace -- it happens, and when it
does, it's frightening.
How
can we keep it from happening? How
can angry people be managed so their fury
doesn't explode unexpectedly? For that matter,
how can workplaces be protected from acts
of terrorism, like those that occurred on
9/11/01? In FBI Director Robert Mueller's
words: "Workplace violence was put in
a new context that day. Prior to 9/11, this
type of violence was viewed as perpetrated
by disgruntled employees, customers, or a
domestic violence/stalking relationship that
surfaces at a workplace. Since that time,
America's workplaces have to be prepared
not only to face the more traditional internal
workplace threats, but now have to consider
the external threat of terrorism."
To
answer these questions, the FBI's
National Center for the Analysis of Violence
Crime (NCAVC), Critical Incident Response
Group (CIRG), sat down with a select group
of experts from law enforcement, private
industry, government, law, labor, professional
organizations, victim services, the military,
academia, mental health, and CIRG's Crisis
Negotiations Unit. Why so many? Because a
multi-faceted problem takes a multi-disciplinary
approach.
The
result? The monograph "Workplace
Violence: Issues in Response," posted
right on this site and released today at
a press conference by FBI Executive Assistant
Director Charles Prouty, Law Enforcement
Services. (A limited number of hard copies
and CD-ROMS are available and can be obtained
by contacting FBI Supervisory Special Agent
Eugene Rugala at earugala@fbiacademy.edu.)
What's
in it? Discussions, from law enforcement
and behavioral perspectives, on interpersonal
aspects of workplace violence issues. The
monograph highlights findings from the collaboration
of experts who looked at the latest thinking
in prevention, threat assessment and management,
crisis management, critical incident response,
research, and legislation. It also offers
common-sense recommendations for those in
the position to do something about workplace
violence.
Who
should read it?
