A report looks the scope of workplace violence and describes the statutes surrounding it, and concludes with a focus on planning, response, and recovery
Nov. 14, 2008
2 min read
A new report on workplace violence, "Violence in the Workplace: The Role of the Facility Manager," has been released by the Houston-based Intl. Facility Management Association (IFMA) Foundation. Written by Wayne D. Veneklasen and Donald W. Barnes Jr., the report looks at the history of violence in the workplace, examines the scope of the problem and describes the statutes surrounding it, and concludes with a focus on planning, response, and recovery.
While publications on workplace violence have typically focused on the preventive role of the human resources department, there are many aspects of the problem that can be alleviated by having the proper safety plans and security procedures in place. The report takes the perspective of the building owner and facility manager while outlining the steps they can take to help mitigate the problem.
"There is a lot out there on workplace violence," says Veneklasen. "You read about it all the time; however, there has been nothing done on what it means for the facility manager. What can they do if something happens? There is no simple answer. We're just trying to create opportunities for people who have a concern and want to do something about it."
