The organizational model for workplace security.

• Jurisdiction: United States
• Date: 01 March 2003
• Author: Capozzoli, Thomas K.
• Published date: 01 March 2003
• Author: Capozzoli, Thomas K.

ABSTRACT

This Article addresses the issue of workplace violence, focusing on the United States and potential terrorist actions in the workplace. The Author begins with an organizational model for workplace security, describing the types of workplace violence, and the/actors that may trigger violence. The Article continues with a description of the common behavior traits that violent workers possess, and also describes the "cycle" ultimately leading to workplace violence. In looking more closely at the common types of workplace violence and the characteristics of those who commit workplace violence, the Author provides an organizational model for reducing or preventing workplace violence. The Article concludes that until the workplace has both trust and participation, workers must be prepared for violence.

TABLE OF CONTENTS I. THE ORGANIZATIONAL MODEL FOR WORKPLACE SECURITY A. Types of Workplace Violence B. Organizational Factors that may Trigger Workplace Violence C. Behavior "Typologies" of Potentially Violent Employees D. The Cycle of Violence II. THE ORGANIZATIONAL MODEL FOR REDUCING OR PREVENTING VIOLENCE III. CONCLUSION I. THE ORGANIZATIONAL MODEL FOR WORKPLACE SECURITY

Workplace violence is a growing concern in the United States and even in other countries. Workplace violence is any act of harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, threat, rape, assault, or homicide that takes place at the victim's place of employment. (1) Any act of destruction of property can also be considered an act of violence. (2) According to the U.S. Department of Justice, homicide is the second leading cause of fatalities in the workplace, and murder is the number one cause of death for females in the workplace. (3) Each year, there are approximately 1.5 million physical assaults, more than 7 million threats, and more than 20 million cases of harassment in the workplace. (4) These numbers may be low because of underreporting by organizations.

1. Types of Workplace Violence

   There are three types of workplace violence:

   * Type One--the violent situation originates in the workplace and the violence occurs in the workplace. (5)

   * Type Two--the violent situation originates in the workplace but the violence occurs outside the workplace. (6)

   * Type Three--the violent situation originates outside the workplace but the violence occurs in the workplace. (7)

2. Organizational Factors that may Trigger Workplace Violence

   There are several factors that may trigger violence in the workplace:

   * Autocratic Management--In this enlightened time, management has done several things to attempt to decrease autocratic management, but the fact remains that there are still autocratic managers. (8) There are also management practices that employees still perceive to be autocratic when, in fact, they are not. (9) Personality factors also enter into this...