Defusing Workplace Violence.

• Position: Brief Article

We've all seen the aftermath of workplace violence on the 11 o'clock news -- and a recent study shows that, on average, the number of deaths per incident is 2.5, including offender suicides. As disgruntled employees act out their aggressions, employers must learn to recognize warning signs and take preventive measures.

"Some of the classic warning signs are chronically poor work performance, conflicts with supervisors and other employees, unfounded grievances and complaints, abuse of sick leave and view of self as a victim," according to Trendline, Control Risk Group's quarterly analysis of business risk. "Ninety-seven percent of all assailants are male, and while murder suspects in general are under 30 years old, the workplace offender averages just below age 40. These older individuals have more of a chance to build up a series of frustrations over the years."

But if a company takes steps to mitigate the trauma of...