Stress of Weak Economy May Increase Workplace Violence

American workers are overly stressed due to the current economic crisis and this stress could lead to incidents of workplace violence according to Preparis, Inc. Employers are looking to be proactive with their preparation efforts.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) November 12, 2008

Preparis, Inc. a leader in workforce preparedness solutions, forecasts that incidents of workplace violence could potentially rise as cash-strapped U.S. workers brace for continued fourth quarter layoffs combined with the pressure of trying to provide for their families during the country's heaviest retail season. The U.S. economic recession and ongoing, significant employment cut-backs have put many workers on-edge, fearing their homes, finances and jobs could be in danger.

Working with businesses to help prepare and protect employees, Preparis understands that the American workforce is feeling the pinch - people are losing their jobs, their homes and retirement savings due to the economic downturn. Most workers are seeing the costs of basic goods and services rise while income, benefits, 401k investments, and job security decline.

With "the perfect storm" of stressful conditions cast upon American workers, fear, anxiety, desperation and extreme behavior can begin to take over - which can often lead to tragic events. There have been numerous stories of domestic violence brought on by the adverse U.S. economic situation and it is a real possibility this violence could easily manifest itself in the workplace as well.

"There has been an overwhelming amount of pressure lately at home and work due to the current economic meltdown," says Gail Tolbert, SPHR, an independent HR consultant in Atlanta. "These anxieties could cause irrational behaviors in the workplace that don't normally exist."

Corporations of all industries and sizes have announced unprecedented layoffs including General Motors, Whirlpool, eBay, Yahoo!, Motorola and Circuit City pushing unemployment rates not seen since the early 1980's. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics stated the unemployment rate was 6.5% as of early November.

Several situations could trigger workplace violence, including layoffs, being passed over for promotion, or a reduction in pay or shift hours. ASIS International, an organization for security professionals, commissioned the CRISP Report-Connecting Research in Security to Practice-that stated workplace violence affects more than two million workers each year. In the U.S. 20% of all violent crimes occur in the workplace. Tolbert says "Workplace violence should always be a concern for employers and, especially in today's economy, is something they should plan for, even if there is not an imminent threat."

What to Look For
According to Preparis, many factors can contribute to potential workplace violence incidents and employers should look for signs of extreme stress and changes in behavior in their employees. Managers should also be trained to look for these signs and know how to quickly address them.

While there are no sure signs an employee will commit an act of violence, certain behaviors can signal a problem. Some major signs include erratic behavior, increased irritability or hostility, reduced quality of work, poor organizational and time management skills, absenteeism, or a look of physical exhaustion. Another key to remember is that because resources are stretched, many employees are doing double the work. This can be a tremendous amount of pressure, often times unknowingly, placed on employees.

What to Do
Companies should train their managers on workplace violence and how to recognize the warning signs. "The best thing an employer can do to minimize the effects of workplace violence is to communicate consistently with their employees about the company and any changes that may affect them," says Tolbert. "Employers can also help decrease the possibility of workplace violence by helping to make a smooth transition for exiting employees by providing outplacement services." Tolbert goes on to say that employers should communicate often with their employees and address issues early on.

Should companies be faced with an actual workplace violence incident, call 911 immediately. If the individual is armed and dangerous, do not try to intervene or disarm them.

For more information on workplace violence and workforce preparedness, contact Preparis at info @ preparis.com or visit http://www.preparis.com.

About Preparis
Preparis provides businesses a new way to protect their people, operations and shareholder value from 21st century threats. The company's web-based solutions deliver best-in-class preparedness information, communication tools and certification that safeguard a company's most important assets. We work in partnership with our clients to create a preparedness culture using leading edge technology to rapidly deploy critical information and programs directly to the employee level.

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