An economic downturn, such as what's currently being experienced in the United States, can often lead to increased workplace violence such as that, according to Blythe. CMI recently researched business crisis stories in 1,500 worldwide news publications, and found that workplace violence was the fastest growing business crisis that made the news/media in 2007--with an increase of 65%. And violence in the workplace was listed as the fourth-leading cause of fatal occupational injury in the United States in 2007, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.
Those numbers also are expected to increase, according to Atlanta-based CMI. "Money problems certainly feed into it," Blythe told CSP Daily News. He added, "Companies must provide a safe workplace for employees."
In the incident with the disgruntled employee, a crisis was averted by having a plan in place. But it does not always work that way. And CMI has put together a benchmarked components list to ensure companies have a comprehensive workplace violence program. "Best practices have emerged over time," Blythe said. "And this checklist will help them develop standards."
The benchmark is designed to help employers assess workplace violence policies, threat notification systems, threat response teams and manuals, character-based interview questions, background checks, hostility management training, tracking of threatening situations, provider assessments, physical security audits, domestic violence programs, employee workplace violence orientation, post-crisis preparedness and strategic crisis management plans. For a copy of the benchmarking tool, e-mail blaw@cmiatl.com.
Blythe said that everyone should be cautious, although violence from coworkers might not be as prevalent in convenience stores. "There's only usually one or two employees working at a time, and there's not a supervisor micromanaging you and breathing down your neck," he said. "That's one of the good things about working in a convenience store."
C-stores are not immune from all workplace violence, however, particularly tied to robberies. Of 40 fatalities in U.S. c-stores in 2007, 39 were due to assault and violent acts, according to the census.
CSP's seventh annual Leadership, Liability& Crisis Prevention Forum willbe held April 27-29 in Louisville, Ky.Click here for more information or look for the related ad in this issue of CSP Daily News. Blythe will be sharing more insight atthe CSP Outlook Leadership Conference, September 20-22, 2009.Click here for more information.
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