Preventing Violence In Work Place

What is violence? It is causing pain to one self or to others.  There are two types of violence - Physical and emotional.   Very often words are more hurtful than acts.   It is therefore very important for us to think before we speak.    Violence is shown in early stages of child-hood and if not corrected can prove harmful in later years of life.  It usually starts with bullying and then goes on to more aggression and ultimately ends up in violence.   So it is very important for violence to be corrected in child-hood.

Understanding the cause of violence in work place:     The main causes of violence in work place are lay offs, poverty, social issues, etc.     Very often when there is a strike in an organization, violence takes place if the issues are not sorted out.    Hence, it is the management that needs to act effectively and immediately when an issue arises between employees and the management.   Timely and effective measure would help avoid un-necessary violence.

Responding to violence at workplace:   Following steps could be taken

• Inform the local law enforcement
• Inform the building security
• Leave the office at the earliest
• Remain calm

Every employee has the responsibility to stop violence if it is noticed in the workplace.However, the management can also take precautionary measures like:

• Have a clear-cut policy that violence of any form is forbidden in the workplace area.
• Lay down rules what disciplinary action would be taken again employees who indulge in violence in the workplace.
• Put in place a management team who should be able to recognize the warning signs of arising violence.
• Try to recognize the causes that force employees to violence in the work area
• Create a very fair atmosphere at the workplace where employees are promoted when due.
• It is very important to sort out and resolve immediately any violence arising out of sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation.

Hence it is very important to have a healthy and friendly atmosphere in the workplace where employees understand each other and the management also understands its employees.

Review Questions:

• What is violence at workplace?
• How to avoid violence at workplace?