Violence Catches Company Unprepared
This case study revolves around a computer manufacturing firm. The company experienced two cases of violence that created the impetus for the establishment of measures to tackle and pre-empt violence at the workplace. One incident involved an employee whose services were no longer tenable in the organization. During this incident, the employee drove into the compound of his former workplace and opened fire on the workers.
This resulted in the death of a security guard. He held the workers at ransom for several hours. A similar incident occurred at different company premises. Consequently, several changes sought to circumvent such incidences. They included an extension of perimeter fencing around the building to ensure that vehicles do not have direct access to the premises. They ensured the installation of alarm systems to guarantee security. The company also installed a communication line to support negotiations in case of such incidences.
Other strategies could improve and guarantee a better situation during such incidents. Such measures would increase the ability of the company to tackle and prevent such situations. One of these strategies is the installation of security cameras to capture such eventualities. This would help the company in probing and circumventing in such cases. Another strategy is ensuring a thorough inspection of vehicles and persons who seek to access the premises.
This would consist of determining the motive and mission of visitors. The company should initiate a program to sensitize staff on the identification and prevention of potential cases of violence in the workplace. This would go a long way in ensuring the safety of staff members. One more strategy that can be applied in ensuring that staff that leaves the company do not harbor any ill feelings with regard to their fellow workers. This is achievable through counseling services to help them deal with their situation.
Former Client Exacts Revenge
This case study regards a client who seeks revenge on a law firm that previously offered legal services. The man went ahead and shot indiscriminately, thereby injuring several people within the vicinity of the premises. The gunman eventually ended his spree by committing suicide. This was a desperate move occasioned by the failure of his weapon. After this incident, the firm took drastic measures to avoid the recurrence of such incidents.
The firm put in place restrictions with regard to access to the premises. They also improved various systems to alert employees in case of such incidences. There are some other strategies that could improve preparedness for such incidences. The firm should vet and interrogate clients to determine their state of mental health. This is possible through conducting a background check on the history of clients.
The firm should also endeavor to guarantee customer satisfaction to avoid such occurrences. This avoids cases of disgruntled clients who use unorthodox means to settle grievances with the law firm. It is also important for law firms to invest in security gadgets such as scanners. Such gadgets assist in determining what visitors carry into the premises. To actualize this security measure, the firm should hire qualified and professional security personnel to detect and deal with similar cases. Such strategies increase the firm’s ability to pre-empt and circumvent such occurrences. Implementation of the above strategies requires an internal framework that supports their actualization.
Small Business Threatened by Former Employee
This case study relates to a small business that suffers the wrath of a former employee who seeks to avenge previous disagreements. The former employee made a death threat through an anonymous phone call.
Through intervention by local police, the caller admitted to having made the phone call. He argued that his life suffered because of unemployment. This incident highlighted the potential danger of disgruntled employees who face termination of employment. It is important for employers to institute measures that ensure the preparedness of employees in case of retrenchment. Employees who leave without proper preparation result in unorthodox methods to resolve their grievances. However, this case is different because intervention occurred before the incident.
Another strategy that can be applied to avoid such incidents is ensuring proper engagement with employees to resolve any pending issues. Such measures should include counseling and other related undertakings. Counselling prepares employees to deal with life after losing employment. This averts any possible confrontation with employers. It also diffuses any pent up anger and negative emotions. Employers should increasingly engage security personnel to make sure that they detect such cases in a timely manner. There is a need to engage experts in other fields to help in the identification of people who are potential threats to the company.
Employers should also ensure that they solve all the issues that could motivate employees to engage in such acts. This is possible through developing a rapport with employees to determine the prevailing conditions in their lives. Such behavior could emanate from situations beyond the workplace. Therefore, there is a strategic advantage whenever employers determine the situation of employees in the domestic environment. Such strategies increase productivity and safety in the workplace.
Preparation Pays Off
This case study regards a manufacturing company that has proper and sufficient networks and frameworks to curb violence in the workplace environment. Although the incident had fatal repercussions, there was a swift response to the resultant situation. Police responded promptly and managed the situation in a professional manner. The management availed other relevant services and support systems.
Other strategies that could be applied include the provision of services that improve the awareness of employees with regard to safety. Such awareness is important to ensure that there is sufficient knowledge of the available avenues that complement the need for safety in the workplace. Another strategy involves the accommodation of employees in safety programs and mechanisms to ensure that they make relevant contributions. This enables employees to give any relevant information with regard to potential threats to security within the workplace. This goes a long way in ensuring the avoidance of possible dangers in the workplace.
Through such measures, organizations foster institutional frameworks that support safety in the workplace. There should be tough measures that prevent violent situations in the workplace. This makes it easier for employees and employers to detect potential areas that may lead to violence and inappropriate behavior in the workplace. The rationale of such measures is to lower cases of violence because it affects the productivity of employees within the company.
To guarantee the success of such programs, the company should invest the necessary resources and efforts that complement the achievement of such objectives. Violence in the workplace portends numerous challenges that herald negative results and implications for the company in various spheres of its operation. It is therefore critical for employers to eradicate violence in workplaces.