Workplace Violence Incident Management

Incident Management Guidelines

Workplace violence can have significant impacts on both personnel safety and operational productivity, as well as result in serious legal and liability issues for the company. Workplace violence can quickly lower group morale and increase workforce absenteeism, stress, retention, and recruiting issues, as well as bring negative publicity and reputational challenges. Risks can range from verbal abuse or inferred threats to simple or aggravated assaults, robberies and thefts, hostage taking, hijackings, rapes and other sexual assaults, shootings, and fatalities.

In the event of a workplace violence incident occurring, the following points should be addressed:

✓ Action Points

1. Stand up the Incident Management and Crisis Response Teams using the SAD CHALETS system.
2. Determine who is at risk, and move them out of confrontational situations or the risk area.
3. Determine what risks are present:
   • Is the aggressor physically or verbally violent?
   • Does the aggressor have a history of violence?
   • Is the aggressor armed in any way?
4. Mobilize local security and or police to intercede immediately, restraining the provocateur if necessary (as a last resort).
5. Attempt to diffuse the situation, if safe and appropriate.
   • Always work with others rather than in isolation.
   • Avoid aggressive postures or inference.
   • Suggest to the aggressor to come back later to discuss with senior management, in order to diffuse the situation and enable police to respond.
6. Avoid confrontational discussions; placate the aggressor, if possible and appropriate, while police or security personnel respond.
7. Are others at risk? Clear the area if required.
8. Provide a postincident report as soon as possible.

Key People to Call (see the IMP Communications Plan)

Group	Yes/No	Group	Yes/No
• Medical organization		• Organic QRF
• Military interface		• Crisis response team
• Embassy or consulate		• Security provider (vendor)
• Police, fire, or ambulance		• Other groups