Protecting your organization from workplace violence

Regardless of the type of business you operate, it’s important to take steps to prevent workplace violence. The advisors at Schauer Group recommend establishing workplace violence policies and implementing additional hiring procedures to help keep your employees safe, along with reviewing your existing insurance coverages to understand the protections they will provide in the event of a crisis.

What is workplace violence, and who’s at risk?

Workplace violence threats can come from inside or outside an organization. Broadly, workplace violence falls into four categories:

• Criminal intent: The violence is related to another crime and has no connection to the business
• Customer/client violence: A customer is committing violence against a worker
• Violence between coworkers: Coworkers threaten or attack other coworkers
• Personal relationship: A problem an employee is having in a personal relationship spills over into the workplace and leads to a violent incident

 

While any business can experience workplace violence, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says factors that increase the risk of a workplace violence incident include businesses that operate in high-risk neighborhoods; are open to the public; have high-stress job positions; could be considered controversial; or have experienced a prior incident or threat.

In addition, businesses that operate late at night, exchange money, deal with the public, or have plans to reduce workforce or outsource positions also are more likely to have a violent incident occur, according to insurance company Chubb.

Best practices for prevention

There are several preventative steps businesses can take to reduce the risk of workplace violence:

• Conduct background checks for all employees, and if conducting reference checks, consider asking former employers whether the candidate posed any potential workplace violence concerns.
• For businesses that work with outside staffing firms: Be selective, ensure there is a formal contract in place, and make sure that your business is added as an additional insured on the staffing firm’s insurance policies.
• Have a crisis response plan. The document should include contact information for your risk management advisor, your attorney, and a crisis communications firm. (The advisors at Schauer Group can help your organization develop and deploy this plan, if necessary.)
• Consider implementing additional security measures at your facilities (such as providing photo employee IDs or requiring a keycode to access certain parts of the building).
• Develop a system so people confidentially can report potentially violent behavior or other unusual or concerning behaviors.
• Make sure employees have access to counseling services or domestic violence support programs if needed.
• Have a documented zero-tolerance workplace violence policy that is communicated to employees and that clearly defines what is considered violence.

Workplace violence insurance coverage

In addition to taking precautions to help prevent workplace violence, it’s also important to consider how the insurance policies your business has in place will respond in the event of a workplace violence incident.

Beyond any medical payments or liability costs, businesses often face additional soft costs following a workplace violence incident, such as counseling services for employees; additional workplace security in the days following the incident; crisis communications and public relations support; and lost revenue from days not worked.

While some business insurance policies do provide limited amounts of coverage for these expenses, Schauer Group recommends reviewing your existing policies with your risk management advisor to determine whether they provide adequate coverage for your needs.

If necessary, Schauer Group’s advisors can help you secure more robust coverage through a standalone policy that will protect your organization in the event of a workplace violence incident. In some cases, these workplace violence policies offer wraparound crisis management services and even can provide access to experts who can intervene if a direct threat is made against an employee or your business.

Ultimately, what is appropriate for your business will depend on the number of locations and employees you have, along with the type of business you operate. Please reach out if you’d like to discuss this important topic further.

About Schauer Group

Schauer Group is an independent risk management and insurance advisory firm dedicated to helping people, companies and communities thrive. Our team of insurance professionals works with clients across the country and across a variety of industries, offering expert risk management consulting and customized business insurance, employee benefits, personal insurance and surety solutions. With offices throughout Northeast Ohio, Schauer Group is committed to attracting and developing the region’s top talent and investing in the communities where associates live and work. Note: This communication is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be construed as legal or financial advice and should not be relied on as such. No material contained within this website should be construed or relied upon as providing recommendations in relation to any specific legal, financial, investment, or insurance product. Before making any commitment of a legal, financial, investment, or insurance nature, you should seek advice from a qualified and registered practitioner or advisor who can appraise your specific needs. Schauer Group, Inc. disclaims any and all liabilities incurred as a result of reliance upon the information presented herein.

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SOURCES

• Types of Workplace Violence, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries News Release, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• DOL Workplace Violence Program, U.S. Department of Labor
• Emergency Action Plan Guide, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Preventing Workplace Violence, Chubb

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