Editor’s Message


Our lead article deals with the use of armed security personnel which is a subject I am increas- ingly seeing discussed by more


educational institutions and businesses who are struggling to deal with the continuing onslaught of workplace violence incidents. Another article reveals research that shows that there have been 74 shooting incidents on schools and campuses since the tragic shooting in Newton Connecticut which to me is mind boggling.


I wish to express our sincere appreciation to our subscribers that have responded to our survey question which is seeking to identify which functions in organizations has responsibility for addressing workplace violence. We invite those of you that have not responded to please take the survey so that we can have a statistically significant sample to report the results to you in the next edition. Click here to take the survey.


I also wanted to remind you to take advantage of the special offer the we have negotiated for our subscribers to receive a significant discount on the renown annual Master Guide to Workplace Violence: Threats, Prevention, Policies & Best Practices 350 page research report by IOFM. Its’ offered at a discount rate you can only get through us. Click here to get more information or to place your order.


I want to express our sincere appreciation to Maya Raghu the columnist for the Domestic Violence Zone column for her dedication and contributions to the eReport. Her article in this edition will be her last one and we are deeply indebted to her for her contribution to the education of our readers.


Those of you that are interested in threat assess- ments will want to read Dr. Joe Davis’ article, ‘Revisiting the Issue of Threat Assessment in the Workplace: How Accurate Can We Predict Future Violence’ to get a true experts insight on this issue.


If you have a case study or unique perspective on workplace violence we want to hear from you to share your story with other practitioners. Send your ideas to me at Barry@wvp911.com.


Thanks for joining us this month and please stay safe out there until next time.


Barry


Armed Security a Tough Call For Companies


A recent spasm of gun violence at a Kennesaw FedEx facility put a spotlight on workplace security measures, which run the gamut from none to armed guards and metal detectors. Authorities haven't released enough details to allow judgment on whether armed security would have made a difference. But experts say the decision whether to use armed guards is complicated. Devising security plans means not only balancing cost- culture issues but also weighing risks such as the safety of a neighborhood, the value of assets in the building, hours of operation and worker turnover. Some suggest armed guards can escalate dangerous situations rather then defuse them.


Read more (May require registration and/or purchase of content) DE CIS IONPOINT


This column is designed to help sharpen your judgment in providing valuable advice regarding how to handle incidents of aggression.


Do state laws that permit carrying a concealed weapon confer additional rights on employees?


The Situation:


A pharmacist was fired after he fired his concealed weapon at work during a robbery. The plaintiff- pharmacist had a valid license to carry a concealed weapon under Michigan law. After obtaining the license, he began bringing a handgun to work and carrying it his pocket. In May 2011, masked robbers entered the retail store. The plaintiff tried to dial 911, but one of the masked gunmen jumped over the counter and pointed a gun at him. The plaintiff then fired his concealed gun multiple times, though no one was physically injured during the incident.


After the event, the defendant-employer met with the plaintiff and told him that he could choose to resign or be fired for violating the company’s non -escalation policy. The plaintiff refused to resign and was later fired. He then sued his employer, alleging that he was fired in violation of public policy.


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