Violence can strike any employer, office building, or public facility, as evidenced by the growing number of tragic events reported in the media. The characteristics of a high-risk workplace, according to the National Safe Workplace Institute, include:

"It's so clear that you have to cherish everyone." Alice Walker

Chronic labor/management disputes. Frequent grievances filed by employees. A large number of workers compensation injury claims, especially for psychological injury. Understaffing and excessive demands for overtime in an authoritarian management style.

Enough data has been collected to generalize the perpetrator of workplace violence. He is male, 35 or older; has a previous history of violence toward women, children, or animals; owns a weapon; reflects low self-esteem connected with his job; has few or no outside interests; and is likely to be withdrawn or a loner.

Although profiles can be helpful, it is important to be aware that any employee at any level can become violent if a triggering event produces too much stress. The stress is measured in the mind of the person involved, and crisis can occur when a person faces an insurmountable obstacle. In a crisis involving job loss, there is a sudden threat to the employee and his or her role as a provider.

In 1998, 83 murders were committed in Tucson and Pima County.

As workplace violence is increasing so dramatically, all employers must become sensitive to the issue and begin to think of ways of defusing situations that can become violent and ways of avoiding the situations in the first place. The issue is literally a matter of life and death. Organization's human resources, legal advisors, and risk management personnel must develop ongoing strategies to address the potential for violence in the workplace.
Business Insurance, July 5, 1999.