Defusing workplace bombs: warning signs of volatile employee issues that will land you in court.

• Author: Tisdel, Marcia
• Position: HUMAN RESOURCES

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Yesterday, you and all the other employees hear the fight all the way down the hallway. A foreman and your coworker had a horrible shouting match; the coworker was fired and left the building screaming obscenities. Today, out of the corner of your eye, you see the former coworker walking quickly down the hallway. You glance after him, notice he's running faster and carrying a gun.

How do you let the foreman and others know the danger before it lands on them? How do you stay out of sight? Do you call the police, knowing they won't arrive on time? Your mind is racing, should you leave the building as fast as possible? You panic!

This situation is all too real. Many Alaskans remember Don Ramsey, otherwise known as the "Rambo of Alaska." In 1986, enraged when the Anchorage Times refused to publish his political letter, Ramsey showed up at the newspapers office.

"I was armed and ready to go to war," he said. "I had an AR 180-223 semi-auto, something like 180 rounds of ammo for it and a snub barrel .44 magnum and about 20 rounds for it." Ramsey said he was ready to die, but surrendered after a short standoff with police and subsequently went to prison.

Unfortunately, many companies take the "Ostrich" approach to workplace violence failing to teach managers and employees how to recognize potentially violent workers and situations requiring security measures. The Ostrich approach to workplace violence leaves employees unprepared and potentially dead.

Further, employers can be legally liable for workplace violence. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was enacted "to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the nation safe and healthful working conditions" (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1993).

Before you say it couldn't happen in your company, realize that thousands of violent incidents occur every day to those who said it will never happen. Executives, managers and employees must be wary of the Ostrich Syndrome, so they will not bury their heads in the sand and fail to see the potential for violence in their organizations.

Workplace violence can be prevented. In 99 percent of incidents, there are clear warning signs.

CONTROLLING AND PREVENTING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

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