Causes of Workplace Violence:
Stress, conflict, and customers who feel they have been wronged can all lead to potentially violent outbursts in the workplace. Generally, workplace violence is the result of stress—either stress from work, or stress from outside of work that is brought with the worker into the work environment. Disgruntled customers and employees can also create potentially dangerous conditions in the work environment.
Experts recommend watching for warning signs. Below are some workplace tips:
- All employees receive training on violence in the workplace.
- Every office or work environment should offer an emergency action plan that has been practiced in advance.
- Excessive use of drugs or alcohol by an employee should be reported as should depression, suicidal comments or irrational behaviors that could lead to a possible attack.
- Report ALL cases of violence in the workplace, even minimal cases before they escalate into larger problems.
Author
Dr. Ifeanyi Olele
Ifeanyi Olele, DO, MBA, MS, is a board-certified psychiatrist who sees adolescent and adult patients in the greater Washington DC metropolitan area at Genesis Psychiatric Solutions. Dr. Olele is a dedicated psychiatrist in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma-related stress disorders, and attention deficit disorders. Dr. Ifeanyi Olele is one of the few psychiatrists who utilizes psychotherapy (talk therapy) as part of his treatment plan.
