This white paper from GLP Security Solutions addresses the issues of domestic violence spilling over into the workplace. It notes that domestic violence is one of the leading causes of death for women at work. The paper outlines preventative measures employers can take, such as appointing floor marshals and collecting emergency contact information from employees. It details how domestic violence can negatively impact employee productivity and the bottom line costs to businesses. The paper recommends planning emergency response procedures and providing employees with safety resources.
2. Section (A).
A GLP Security Solutions White Paper
Concern for Your Employees on And Off the Job:
Addressing Domestic And Workplace Violence
Employee productivity is an essential component to the success of any business. Your
employees are the spokes in the wheels of motion toward success. You value your employees as
more than just workers. They are humans with needs, concerns, personal relationships and lives.
At times our personal lives can become intertwined with our professional lives in an extremely
negative manner. A co-workers’ personal relationship can escalate to the point where we can
become concerned for our own personal safety, as well as the safety of the individual in concern.
A less than amicable divorce or break up can suddenly become the concern of the entire office if
that personal relationship involved violence. As co-workers and friends, we should be
empathetic to the situation, but as humans we should be concerned for our own safety.
“A less than amicable divorce or break up can suddenly become the
concern of the entire office, if that personal relationship involved
violence.”
Let’s take a glance at some statistics involving domestic violence and it’s correlation to
workplace violence. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or
(OSHA), workplace violence is a seriously recognized occupational hazard ranking among the
top four causes of death in the workplace during the past fifteen years. More than 3,000 people
have died of workplace homicide between 2006-2010, (according to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics or BLS).
Before we proceed, let’s define workplace violence. The FBI defines workplace violence as,
“any act or threat of physical violence, sexual assault, harassment, intimidation or other
threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at a work site or place of business.”
The correlation between both domestic and workplace violence is embedded within one major
statistic, and it is the fact that OSHA has cited homicide as the leading cause of death for women
in the workplace.
Overall more than two million American worker’s reported having been victims of workplace
violence each year. Disgruntled employees, domestic partnership conflicts, random acts of
violence occur, it’s real and dangerous. The most valuable weapons we have in the prevention of
violence at home and in the workplace is each other, and our ability to communicate with one
another.
3. Section (B).
Preventive Measures
The great news is that there are simple preventive measures that can reduce the impact of what
can be a very volatile situation. A brief look at some preventive measures:
1). First and foremost, understand that the situation is not the fault of the victim, and that they
should understand that there is no shame in asking for the help they may need to preserve their
safety, and the safety of their co-workers and loved ones.
2). Document all occurrences, keep a journal and diary that chronicles every confrontation. For
example; On Friday the 24 , Jim and I got into an argument and he proceeded to break theth
dishes. On Saturday the 25 , Jim was drinking and this occurred and so on.th
3). Find a safe house. A relative or someone where the victim can feel safe in case of an
emergency, which would require leaving the current residence.
4). Alert the authorities, inform them you have kept a log of the occurrences and where the
authorities can possibly find that log if they needed to. Also inform the authorities where the safe
house is located, and how many individuals are in your group, this includes relatives such as
parents and children. (Very important), in regards to alerting the authorities of the location of a
safe house, (if the residence or location is in another jurisdiction other than the one of origin,
please relay information to the authorities in that area).
Note: Please inform the authorities of any weapons that may be in the possession of the
perpetrator.
5). Inform the management of your place of employment about the situation. This is important
on two fronts, (a). It alerts your job to take certain security measures for your safety and the
safety of your co-workers, and (b). It allows management the flexibility to possibly make
necessary schedule changes as well as the flexibility to make changes in task allocations to
prevent any disruption in productivity. Note: A 2004 Family Crisis Services survey found that
more than 75% of domestic violence offenders used their victims’ employment to contact them
at least once.
4. Section (C).
How the Threat of Violence Affects Productivity
According to research by the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence (CAEPV), one single
incident of workplace violence can lower overall morale at a company’s facility, thus decreasing
employee productivity. Also stated in the (CAEPV) reports are these interesting facts from the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 64% of victims of domestic violence indicated that their ability to be
effective in the workplace was severely hampered by their situations at home. Some of the key
causes for the victims’ decline in productivity were broken down as the following:
* 57% said they were distracted.
* 45% expressed a fear of discovery.
* 45% fear harassment at the workplace either by phone or in person.
* 40% fear unexpected visits to their places of employment.
* 38% of those surveyed in the study stated that they feared for their own safety as a result of a
co-worker’s domestic violence situation.
64% of victims of domestic violence indicated that their ability to be
effective in the workplace was severely hampered by their situations at
home.
Section (D).
How the Threat of Violence Affects the Bottom Line
There is no way to sugarcoat it. Business is still the order of the day. This is also the reason for
companies large and small to take drastic preventive measures to ensure a safe and productive
work environment for all of their employees. But if just stating the obvious is not enough, here
are some alarming statistics from a report by the Center for Disease Control or (CDC) regarding
the annual cost of lost productivity due to domestic violence.
It is estimated that the cost of the effects of domestic violence costs American companies and
organization’s $727.8 Million per year. A Pinkerton Security study places the total cost
associated with workplace violence overall is an alarming $36 Billion annually and affects more
than two million Americans each year.
5. Section (E).
The Solution: Failure to Plan, Means Planning to Fail
GLP Security Solutions has devised some important measures to take in regards to intelligently
counteracting the threat of domestic and workplace violence. We have consulted various law
enforcement agencies, read countless articles, and have spoken to victims. The following are our
suggestions for success in the continuing fight against workplace and domestic violence.
Section (F).
Elect or Appoint a Floor Marshall and Deputy Floor Marshall
The purpose of the Floor Marshall(s) is to have an effective leader / employee that is abreast of
solutions to potential emergency situations. GLP Security Solutions suggests that the Floor
Marshall possesses the following personal qualities:
* Good attendance, (for obvious reasons).
* Knowledge of the whereabouts of first-aid materials and the ability to use them.
* A working cellular phone and/or two way radio system in their possession.
* The phone number and addresses of all personnel located within their immediate work area or
sector. (See the attached Floor Marshall Information Sheet).
* An agreeable exit route for employees to lead them to a (SAFE ZONE), outside of the building.
* A keen eye and attention to detail for being able to describe a potential suspect.
* The Floor Marshall should have monthly or quarterly meetings with the individuals within their
sectors.
* A drill or walk through periodically is a very important component of the success of the overall
plan.
* The ability to be discretionary, the Floor Marshall is entrusted with the knowledge of a fellow
employee’s personal situation. No one outside of management, human resources,
security / law enforcement and the Floor Marshall(s) should have that information.
* This brings us to the most important quality you must have in the Floor Marshall, (TRUST).
7. Section (H).
Important Closing Statements
The information compiled in the GLP Security Solutions White Paper does not begin to scratch
the surface regarding an organization’s full ability to plan for something as seriously as domestic
and workplace violence. We hope that we can have a positive impact on your planning process.
We suggest that you consult local law enforcement to inquire about possible seminars and classes
that may be available in your area. If there are no programs in your area, perhaps you can suggest
to local law enforcement to start one. At the very least ask local law enforcement to address one
of your quarterly or monthly meetings.
GLP Security Solutions would be more than happy to assist you in coordinating an effective
program at any time. We also suggest that no one walks to their car alone or without
observation. It would take just a couple of extra minutes to have your security detail, Floor
Marshall or deputy Floor Marshall just watch until personnel is securely in their vehicles.
In the case of employees utilizing public transportation, make sure they are waiting in a well-lit
viewable area for pick up.
Please inform all of your employees via your internal employee’s information distribution
system that GLP Security has effective state of the art portable security devices that can help
keep them safe. Our website glpsecurity.com has links to organizations that can assist them in
just about any area, as well as industry specific products literature that will give your employees a
better idea on how to protect themselves. We have implemented a toll-free phone number that
allows your employees to contact us at their leisure, that toll-free number is: 1-877-GLP-3343 or
1-877-457-3343. We are honored to answer their questions.
Section ( I ). Listed Data Sources
The Center for Disease Control (CDC)
The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence (CAEPV)
The National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence (NCDSV)
Pinkerton Security
The Family Crisis Center
8. Section (J). A Brief Look at GLP Security Solutions Product Applications
College Students, Working Students, and Travelers can benefit by protecting
themselves with GLP Security Solutions products such as:
The SWPDAL personal alarm system attaches to your pocket,
backpack, or attache’ case. Also protects laptop computers, doors
and windows. When deployed it releases a 130-decibel siren
complete with flashing strobe light and more.
The SWDS85 Doorstop alarm releases a 120-decibel alarm
to alert its owner of a possible intrusion. Great for the traveler,
or college student residing in a dorm room.
The MA795DC is the best portable perimeter alarm system on the
market today. A motion sensor that contains an ear piercing 120
decibel alarm and strobe light that will draw attention and ward off
intruders. Great for the home, dorm room, or office.
For more information regarding our products / services:
Please visit us at www.glpsecurity.com