Domestic Violence “Spills-Over” Into The Workplace

Posted on May 1, 2009
Filed Under Safety and Security Programs, Violence Against Women

Post Courtesy of Larry Kaminer, President, Personal Safety Group, Seattle, WA

Many companies may task their human resource departments with over-seeing security providers to keep employees as safe as possible while at work. Larger companies may have their own security teams. Small companies often implement their own internal safey policy with regard to authenticating visitors, access and perimeter control.

Complacency - Both HR and security experts are always concerned about the tendency of folks to become complacent and stray away from protocol. Some let people into the building without following all sign in and authentication procedures. Accepting an expired visitor’s badge is also not uncommon. Others, when carding in through a side entrance, will allow others to follow them into the building alson known as "tailgating."

A fast growing problem - One of the many threats such security breaches may result in is domestic violence "spillover" into the workplace. According to experts, this is the fastest growing category of workplace violence and is estimated to account for 6% of physical violence and 3% of homicide in the workplace.

Statistic - According to Cornell University’s ILR School, in 2003:

"Batterers commit 13,000 violent acts against their partners in the workplace each year. Batterers also pose serious threats to the safety of their victims’ co-workers."

If a batterer no longer knows where his partner lives he will go to the only place he knows he can find her. Her place of work! Very often a battered woman does not let her co-workers know of her situation or that the situation is coming to a boiling point. These women have pride, put on a brave face and come to work and do the best they can.

Rather be safe than sorry - So we all owe it to one aother to follow the procedures and protocols put in place and to not make exceptions. If we start making exceptions to the rules, pretty soon all we are left with are a lot of exceptions and no rules!

Your security team and human resource departments are there for you -

If you are unsure about policies and protocol, ask HR or security to review them with you.
If you know of fellow employees who seem to be getting sloppy on procedure, remind them of policy, and if need be, bring this to security or HR’s attention.
If you feel you are in a threatening situation of any type, it is always best to bring this to your human resource or security teams’ attention with whom you can communicate confidentially.

Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!

Courtesy of Larry Kaminer, The Personal Safety Training Group, larryk@personalsafetygroup.com

Share on Facebook