Help Wanted: Potential workplace violence

Some employees are concerned she might snap and bring a gun to work, and that is a scary thought because we have no security officers or locked doors. I involved our human resources manager, who said he had to speak to the owner before doing anything.

But the owner does not work full time, and HR has had some delay in contacting him. In the interim, nothing is being done.

I want the employee banned from the building because I am losing sleep over this. Should I file a police report now or wait to see what the owner does? -- Scared at Work

For advice I turned to the Suffolk County Police Department and to a Centerport-based trauma psychologist who has written about trauma and violence.

You did the right thing, according to the police department, and it's now HR's responsibility to follow up.

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"When there is a conflict in the workplace, supervisors should be notified and the incidents documented," said Sgt. Colleen Cooney, a department spokeswoman. "Human resources should take an active role in resolving the conflict."

If HR doesn't act soon enough, then you may want to seek legal expertise or go to the police.

"The offended party always has the option of consulting a private attorney," Cooney said. "However, if ever someone's safety is threatened, they should immediately contact police."

Elizabeth Carll, the trauma psychologist, said it is difficult to predict workplace violence, though a number of factors make it likely.

"There are a number of risk factors," she said, "a combination of which can increase the risk, such as a history of violence of the individual, substance abuse problems, access to weapons, impulsive behavior and tendency to blame others.

That's certainly something that HR should explore or refer to appropriate professionals.

Companies run tremendous risks when they don't defuse potentially violent situations. Damaging morale is one of those risks.

"Aside from the liability and safety consequences for ignoring threats of violence in the workplace," Carll said, "these types of situations create anxiety and fear among employees and can lead to employees eventually leaving a company, and difficulty in hiring new personnel."

And a slow response could hurt the business itself.

"Should an unfortunate incident occur," she said, "it will not only impact the health and welfare of the employees, but the bottom line of the company with potential damage to the organization's reputation, and financial losses after a violent incident."

For more on employers' responsibilities to prevent workplace violence go to http://1.usa.gov/14WzSf7. For more on state labor law and breaks go to http://bit.ly/16qTgPy