Respect in the Workplace Can Increase Safety and Productivity


Leaders across all industries are constantly looking for ways to motivate employees and increase productivity, while simultaneously maintaining or even improving workplace safety. When it comes to both getting the best out of employees and fostering a deep commitment to a mutually safe workplace, it centers on one element: respect. Respectful leaders help create a solid foundation of trust. Trust leads to the perception of safety, and the feeling of safety helps free organizational potential. When leaders create work environments that consistently value, esteem and nurture their employees, it triggers a collective brain chemistry rich in the neurotransmitters serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine. In addition to enhancing focus, collaboration and resilience, the presence of these compounds correlate with higher levels of employee engagement. In the minds of engaged employees, the success (and safety) of the organization overall and their colleagues becomes entwined with their own personal success. This truly is the "holy grail" of organizational effectiveness. Workplace environments rooted in respect also tend to have fewer harassment and discrimination issues. How we engage others leaves a lasting imprint and literally builds our legacy in their minds. Having long since forgotten the details, most people simply will remember how they felt around us and make up the rest of the story to match.


Read more Read more


Signs May Be Evident in Hindsight, but Predicting Violent Behavior Is Tough


In hindsight, it may seem clear that Aaron Alexis, who went on a shooting rampage at the Washington Navy Yard, posed a threat long before the attack, but most mental health experts say that barring the rare few who declare their intentions, it can be extremely difficult to pick out people who are likely to commit murder. Alexis had a recent history of insomnia and uncontrollable anger and had recently told the Rhode Island police that he was hearing voices, yet no action was taken. ―I can tell you the common characteristics of people who engage in mass shootings: It‘s a picture of troubled, isolated young men that matches the picture of tens of thousands of other young men who will never do this,‖ said Jeffrey W. Swanson, a professor of psychiatry. In addition research shows that psychiatrists and psychologists do not do well at predicting violence. Rachel Yehuda, a professor of psychiatry agreed that predicting violence is a tough call, but she said that certain symptoms were a warning sign, including Alexis‘s admission of hearing voices and his display of uncontrollable anger. The idea that Alexis had a blackout caused by anger was especially troubling and should never be let go of without some kind of mental check-in. Yehuda said


FBI: Violent Crimes Increased Slightly in 2012 According to statistics released by the FBI, violent crimes increased slightly (0.7%) across the nation in 2012, however, the annual ―Crime in the United States‖ report also found that property crimes decreased by nearly 1%, marking the 10th straight year of declines for these offenses collectively. This publication is a statistical compilation of offense and arrest data reported by law enforcement agencies voluntarily participating in the FBI‘s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. The estimated rate of violent crimes, which include murder, non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assaults, was 386.9 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants, while the estimated rate of property crimes, which include burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson, was 2,859.2 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants. Other findings from the report include: In 2012, there were an estimated 1,214,462 violent crimes. The violent crimes of murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, and aggravated assault


Continued on page 4


tragedies might be averted if the police could immediately call in a mental health team when they encountered people like Alexis.


Read more


Experts: Workers, Businesses Shouldn't Ignore 'Active Shooter' Risk


Security experts say that businesses and workers need to think about and prepare for the possibility of a violent attack occurring at their workplace. According to the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), workplace violence is defined as "any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site." The factors that increase the risk of violence include being employed where alcohol is served, handling money, providing services or care, and working alone, in an isolated area, or with "volatile, unstable people." OSHA recommends the establishment of a zero-tolerance policy that covers anyone who may come into contact with staff members, as well as the implementation of training programs. Training helps employees know how to respond to an active shooter or other threat, rather than leaving them to "wing it" if a violent attack occurs in their workplace. The most basic courses of response when faced with an active shooter is to run, hide, and fight. Employees are encouraged to follow this course in order, if possible, reserving the "fight" option as a last resort.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27