If you watch television or listen to the radio you will be all too aware that violent acts can and regularly do occur in the workplace. Not only due to aggression from customers or clients, but from disputes between individual staff members. If one of your employees is injured due to a violent act in your workplace it’s highly likely a claim will be made against your California workers compensation insurance.
When you think of violence do you immediately think of physical assault? Most people do, but did you know workplace violence can be considered as any behavior that threatens, intimidates or abuses another person, whether verbally or in writing?
So how can you reduce the risk of these incidents occurring in your workplace? The first step is to write up a workplace violence prevention policy. This policy should be given to all new employees as part of their induction. Make a point of discussing the policy with individual staff members, ensuring they have read and understood the policy. It may be useful to have your workers sign to state they have received and read this policy, along with other important safety information.
When it comes to workplace violence, prevention is always best, and not just because it may prevent a claim on your workers compensation insurance – intimidation or violence in the workplace can affect productivity and absenteeism, and result in good workers leaving.
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