Going Postal: Are You Safe in the Workplace? Find Out.

Factors that place workers at risk for violence in the workplace include interacting with the public, exchanging money, delivering services or goods, working very late or very early hours, and dealing with volatile situations. Did you know that 80 percent of workplace violence victims are male and that homicide is the leading cause of occupational death among women? 
According to the Occupational Safety and Heath Administration, workplace violence has emerged as an important safety and health issue in today's workplace. Nearly 1,000 workers are slain and 1.5 million are assaulted in the workplace each year. The most likely occupations to be victimized by workplace violence are:

1. Retail sales workers 
2. Police officers 
3. Private security guards 
4. Taxi drivers 
5. Prison guards 
6. Bartenders 
7. Mental health professionals 
8. Gas station attendants 
9. Convenience, liquor store clerks 
10. Mental health custodial workers 
Teachers, (junior high, special education, high school, elementary, and college) are the next highest risk group. (Source: Department of Justice's National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS))

Spotting the Walking Time Bomb in Your Workplace

While no one can accurately predict all human behavior or describe the single profile of someone about to explode, researchers have identified a set of traits that may help you determine whether your office mate is about to lose it!

• Shows little humor.
• Has difficulty with authority figures and accepting criticism.
• Their self-esteem is closely linked with job.
• They have poor interpersonal skills.
• Avoids eye contact.
• Has made past threats.
• Raises voice or loses temper with coworkers.
• Has little social support.
• Abuses alcohol or drugs.
• Resorts to intimidation to maintain control.
• Has history of domestic violence, legal difficulties, cruelty to animals, conflicts with coworkers, unwelcome sexual comments.
• Experienced a recent termination or is expecting termination.
• Intrigued by violence in the workplace.

Not all workplace violence is preceded by warnings, but being forewarned about the signals that coworkers send out in everyday interactions can help you remain safe in the workplace.