6. Outsiders
The perpetrator has no legitimate
business relationship to the workplace
and enters the workplace to commit a
robbery or other criminal act.
7. Insiders
The perpetrator is either the recipient
or the object of a service provided by
the affected workplace or victim.
12. Personality Disorder
Personality has a tremendous
impact on how we function in
relationships, in the world and at
work.
When the pattern of thinking and
relating deviates from the norm,
these traits can become personality
disorders.
14. Substance Abuse
Substance abuse and chemical
dependency can lead a person to a
violent action and increase paranoia
and aggression.
15. Psychosis
A person who is psychotic has lost
contact with reality and the ability to
deal with normal, daily stress.
16. Limited Coping Skills
Limited or nonexistent coping skills
lead to the inability to deal with
normal, daily stress.
Individuals will often overreact to
negative events.
17. Limited Support Systems
Inaccessibility to adequate social
support systems places individuals at
further risk for perpetrating an act of
workplace violence.
18. Mental Illness
Workplace violence isn’t a
reflection on society, organizations
or managers but the employee’s
inability to deal rationally and
nonviolently with his or her
problem.
20. Profile of a Typical Perpetrator
• Male
• History of violence
• Loner
• Owns several weapons
21. Profile of a Typical Perpetrator
• Requested assistance
• Angry person
• History of interpersonal conflict
22. Profile of a Typical Perpetrator
• Socially withdrawn
• Introverted
• Paranoid
• Engages in self-destructive actions
23. Disgruntled Complainer
Most cases, called “revenge
attacks,” involve chronically
disgruntled complainers.
These perpetrators have chronic
disciplinary histories, poor
interpersonal relationships and a
history of impulsive behavior.
24. Loner
The loner may work at an
organization for years without
anybody really knowing him or
her.
Loners are most likely to plot and
plan an act of violence.
25. Domestic Abuser
Domestic abusers include a current or
former husband, lover, partner or
boyfriend who come into the workplace
to kill or injure their partners.
When women are at work, their partners
know where to find them, and this
places not only the victim but the whole
workplace at risk.
26. Romantic Obsessor
Romantic obsessors believe that the
object of their attraction is in love
with them.
The behavior generally escalates
and may start with letters and
intensify to harassing phone calls,
attempted personal contact, threats
and even assault.
33. Dealing with a Potentially
Violent Situation
1. Report any concerns or
inappropriate behavior.
2. Pay attention to your “gut
feelings.”
3. Don’t panic – stay calm.
4. Speak in a normal voice.
5. Don’t argue.
34. Dealing with a Potentially
Violent Situation
6. Acknowledge the emotion of the
situation.
7. Establish boundaries.
8. Ask questions
9. Know your reporting procedures.
10. State consequences.