Workplace violence and harassment can be very serious and life threatening. Studies show that one in ten employees experience some form of work-related violence. Some of the most common forms of violence and harassment include: stalking, sexual harassment, verbal harassment, physical assault, and threats. In order to prevent such violence from occurring, you will need to have a good strategy for dealing with it if it does occur.
When workplace violence or harassment occurs, it can be an especially hard situation to deal with. If you are the victim of such a situation, you may feel afraid and helpless. You may also fear reprisals from your boss or co-workers, and you may even find yourself withdrawing from work to avoid problems that you may have had during the dispute.
In order to get through the situation and prevent the escalation of the violence, you need to understand the proper response. First of all, you need to remember that it is never your fault. While it is good to have some measure of respect for your boss, and it is good to have your boss respect you, there are times when you can legitimately expect your boss to hold your employer or company responsible for your safety. This can help you respond better to your employer.
For example, if you witness workplace violence or harassment, don't confront the perpetrators directly. You need to first discuss the incident with your boss or co-workers and explain why you believe the behavior is inappropriate. If you do not take this approach, you could be creating a climate of distrust between you and your employer, which are likely to cause a hostile work environment.
Another important thing to remember is that if you ever feel that you need to call the police, do so. It may seem strange to do this, but having a credible threat on the same side as a police officer is a very useful tool when dealing with workplace violence and harassment.
Another important tip to keep in mind is that the best response is to take action on your own. Many people need help dealing with workplace violence and harassment, and it is usually better to be proactive rather than allow something to occur and then react later. This means you should make sure you document the situation in detail. Have a written log of the events, including any accusations by your co-workers.
After all, you cannot afford to ignore a situation that is troubling you. If you document the details of the incident and show your employer this document, your boss will be more likely to react more proactively to the situation. If your boss is not sympathetic to your concerns, your next step is to get in touch with a lawyer.
If you are in a dangerous situation, do not hesitate to call 911 or your local law enforcement. Remember, even if the event was not reported to your employer, your employer may be able to take action on your behalf.
If you are assaulted or if you have been physically threatened, call the emergency line immediately. Your attacker may be able to be identified using the information you give them.
If you are the victim of physical violence, and you believe your attacker has threatened to hurt or kill you, you should immediately call the police. Even if no reports are filed on the incident, the police may still be able to help you out.
Always get legal advice before you take any action. If you think you are at risk, especially if you think you are in imminent danger, the best thing to do is to contact law enforcement or your local FBI.
You also need to have evidence of the incident. Some common forms of evidence include pictures, videos, or audio recordings. You can use these in court should you need to take action against the perpetrator.