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When it comes to workplace violence prevention, prevailing wisdom tells us to speak up if we witness concerning behavior. But that is easier said than done.

It can be tough to step out and share with someone worries over possible workplace violence. All kinds of questions can arise:

• What if I’m wrong?
• What if I make things worse?
• Will others think I’m a ‘tattle-tale’?

But speaking up with kindness and showing genuine care for the wellbeing of coworkers is the best way to prevent violence in our workplaces.

We live in challenging times and the increased stress is resulting in an alarming increase of violence in our society.  It’s become more important than ever to build and nurture organizational cultures based on dignity and respect.  Only then can we make our workplaces safer and more secure.

Getting Real About Workplace Violence, a prevention and response training program that we provide through Media Partners, covers the essentials people need to know to recognize and prevent potentially violent situations as well as survive incidents of extreme violence in the workplace. A key aspect of the training leverages the idea of “See Something… Say Something” by identifying "Behaviors of Concern", which are often early warning signs that someone might be on a path to violence. It’s here, at the earliest stages of concern, where employees can make the greatest impact by coming forward and speaking up.


Watch this short clip to see how training can help employees become more attuned to concerning behaviors.

Getting Real About Workplace Violence clip ©Regulus Media. Provided for preview purposes only, not to be used for training.


James Sporleder has more than 25 years’ experience in the security industry. With a unique background in specialized captivity survival, James has trained thousands of US military personnel from some of the most elite units in the US Department of Defense. He’s worked in the corporate arena for more than 17 years, focusing on the development and implementation of specialized training programs and helping more than 50 percent of the Fortune 100 prepare for and respond to emerging challenges related to workplace violence, intimate partner violence, and extreme violence such as active shooter.


September 25th is national “If You See Something, Say Something®” Awareness Day. Designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the occasion is meant to remind all of us how important it is to speak up if we see behavior or activity that strikes us as concerning or suspicious.

 

While Homeland Security aims its message at the public on a community level, the idea is just as relevant in our workplaces. With the ongoing threat of workplace violence occasionally flaring into life-threatening incidents across the country, it’s important we build and nurture organizational cultures that emphasize personal dignity and respect—that we make it our business to have our co-workers’ backs. Only out of this type of culture can workplace safety and security blossom and grow.

Getting Real About Workplace Violence, a prevention and response training program that we provide through Media Partners, covers the essentials people need to know to prevent, as well as survive, incidents of extreme violence in the workplace. A key aspect of the training leverages the idea of See Something, Say Something by identifying "Behaviors of Concern", that could be early warning signs indicating that someone might be on a path to violence. It’s here, at the earliest stages of concern, where employees can make the greatest impact by coming forward and speaking up. 

 

Watch this 1-minute clip on the common misconceptions many people have about Workplace Violence: