Shootings: What Can You Do?
Boulder Mourns: I feel so far beyond sad to talk about the shooting last week. On a personal note, I had been in that store the day before and knew many of the workers, all of whom were unfailingly helpful and kind. We feel helpless and hopeless in the aftermath of one more tragedy. Rising from the ashes, we all want to do something, yet we may lack an understanding of what might really help.
Multiple Causation: Many want to push forward their own pet theory of causation: too many guns, mental illness, hatred of the other, toxic masculinity and on and on. My own view is that the desire to find one cause is not helpful. Most likely, we will find many contributing factors once the dust settles.
Workplace Shootings: While we are still bewildered as to why someone would drive from a different town to shoot people in this particular store, workplace violence from current or former co-workers has been extensively studied and is much more common. We can do our best to try to prevent those kinds of shootings.
What Should You Do?
Educate leaders about the warning signs of violence: Studies have found that perpetrators of co-worker violence (the most common kind of workplace violence) always exhibited warning signs, as follows:
WARNING SIGNS OF VIOLENCE
These signs tend to be clustered in people who commit violent acts in workplaces. Just one of these probably does not signal a warning sign.
- Threatening and Disturbed Behavior
– Direct and indirect threats
– Mood swings, depression, bizarre
statements, delusions of persecution
– Domestic violence, verbal abuse, antisocial activities
– Beyond sexual attraction
– Victim may be unaware of degree of attraction
- Alcohol or Drug Abuse
- Deep Depression
– Self-destructive behavior
– Loner
– Unkempt physical appears, despair, sluggish decision making
– Accepts no responsibility for his or her actions
– Constantly blames co-workers, employer, government, the system |
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- Impaired Ability to Function
– Poor impulse control
- Elevated Frustration with Environment
- Obsession with Weapons
– Ownership of gun or gun collection
combined with antisocial behavior
– Fascination with shooting skills or weapon- related activity
– Antisocial or borderline personality
disorders
– Irritable, aggressive, often involved in disputes or fights with others
– May steal or destroy property with little remorse
– Borderline personality shows moodiness,
instability, impulsive action, easily agitated. |
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ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SPEAK UP: Many people, of course, exhibit one of these signs, but not a cluster of them. Almost always, when workplace violence occurs, co-workers had observed these signs. If you are a leader, try to create an environment where your people feel comfortable speaking up without fear of retaliation. If you are an associate, please say something to your boss, your boss’s boss, HR, or security, as appropriate.
For more articles on preventing workplace violence, go to Lynne Eisaguirre – Workplaces That Work
What Do You Think?
What steps has your organization taken to prevent workplace violence? Contact us at: 303-216-1020 or Lynne@workplacesthatwork.com
Did You Know?
Both our management and leadership programs – live and online — include sections on preventing violence. Call or write us at: 303-216-1020 or Lynne@workplacesthatwork.com
Coaching and webinars on these and other management and leadership topics can all be delivered virtually.
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Read Lynne’s book “We Need to Talk — Tough Conversations with Your Employee” and learn to tackle any topic with sensitivity and smarts
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March 29, 2021
