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Understanding Workplace Violence: A Guide for Managers and Employees
By any measure, workplace violence is increasing in frequency and intensity. A recent report estimates its cost at over $120 billion. Meanwhile, experts agree that risk factors, including psychological, behavioral, and situational stressors, are increasing in the context of today's volatile business environment. This timely book integrates insights from the fields of management and social psychology to identify the sources of workplace violence and offer readers practical strategies for preventing it, protecting themselves and their employees from it, and reacting swiftly and effectively when it happens. Featuring case examples, interviews, practical recommendations, and resources for additional information, the authors debunk common myths and misconceptions about workplace violence, its perpetrators, and its victims, and consider the link between domestic and workplace violence―in particular, its implications for women and minorities. The result is an essential guide for anyone, including managers and employees, human resource professionals and counselors, psychologists and other advocates, affected by the impact of workplace violence and seeking solutions.
The statistics are alarming. Homicide is the most frequent manner in which female employees are fatally injured at work; it is the number two cause for men. According to a recent study cited by the Society for Human Resource Management, incidents of workplace violence have increased steadily over the past sixteen years; 58 percent of participating companies reported that disgruntled employees have threatened senior managers in the past year, 17 percent said employees had intentionally and maliciously downloaded computer viruses, and 10 percent said they were victims of product tampering. Meanwhile, the costs linked to workplace violence have been estimated at over $120 billion. Experts agree that risk factors for workplace violence include psychological, behavioral, and situational stressors―and today's volatile business environment increases their intensity.
This timely book integrates insights from the fields of management and social psychology to identify the sources of workplace violence and offer readers practical strategies for preventing it, protecting themselves and their employees from it, and reacting swiftly and effectively when it happens. Featuring case examples, interviews, practical recommendations, and resources for additional information, the authors debunk common myths and misconceptions about workplace violence, its perpetrators, and its victims, and consider the link between domestic and workplace violence―in particular, its implications for women and minorities. The result is an essential guide for anyone, including managers and employees, human resource professionals and counselors, psychologists and other advocates, who is affected by the impact of workplace violence and is seeking solutions.
The statistics are alarming. Homicide is the most frequent manner in which female employees are fatally injured at work; it is the number two cause for men. According to a recent study cited by the Society for Human Resource Management, incidents of workplace violence have increased steadily over the past sixteen years; 58 percent of participating companies reported that disgruntled employees have threatened senior managers in the past year, 17 percent said employees had intentionally and maliciously downloaded computer viruses, and 10 percent said they were victims of product tampering. Meanwhile, the costs linked to workplace violence have been estimated at over $120 billion. Experts agree that risk factors for workplace violence include psychological, behavioral, and situational stressors―and today's volatile business environment increases their intensity.
This timely book integrates insights from the fields of management and social psychology to identify the sources of workplace violence and offer readers practical strategies for preventing it, protecting themselves and their employees from it, and reacting swiftly and effectively when it happens. Featuring case examples, interviews, practical recommendations, and resources for additional information, the authors debunk common myths and misconceptions about workplace violence, its perpetrators, and its victims, and consider the link between domestic and workplace violence―in particular, its implications for women and minorities. The result is an essential guide for anyone, including managers and employees, human resource professionals and counselors, psychologists and other advocates, who is affected by the impact of workplace violence and is seeking solutions.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2006
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September 24, 2011
This is supposed to be a guide for managers and employees, yet much of the book is taken up by many of the bad habits often seen among research psychologists. For example, the authors incorprate as many citations as possible, even when the citations are mariginally relevant. For example, they spend several pages describing the societal origins of violence, and dutifully reference Bandura's research with television and aggression in children. How is that helpful to a manager looking to understand the potential risk factors and prevention measures for violence in the workplace????
The authors spend the entire second chapter developing a complex model for understanding workplace violence. This will likely inspire oohs and aahs among the academic set, but, again, is of little practical value.
My third criticism relates to the authors' apparent desire for sensationalism over internal consistency. They point out (correctly) that most violence in the workplace is non-fatal and is perpetrated by non-employees (i.e. robberies, irate customers, etc.). They do this in an effort to challenge the myth of the prevalence of the disgruntled employee shooting all his coworkers. Despite this, their italicized case studies to open each chapter are--- you guessed it--- tales of disgruntled employee shooting all their coworkers.
That said, there are some helpful aspects of the book. They provide very concrete and appropriate guidance in the essential components of an effective sexual hatrrassment policy (although their sample policies are unnecessarily cumbersome and wordy).They also have some good info about the psychological,behavioral and organizational factors that may contribute to violence in the workplace.
Overall, however, not a particularly helpful or well-written book.
The authors spend the entire second chapter developing a complex model for understanding workplace violence. This will likely inspire oohs and aahs among the academic set, but, again, is of little practical value.
My third criticism relates to the authors' apparent desire for sensationalism over internal consistency. They point out (correctly) that most violence in the workplace is non-fatal and is perpetrated by non-employees (i.e. robberies, irate customers, etc.). They do this in an effort to challenge the myth of the prevalence of the disgruntled employee shooting all his coworkers. Despite this, their italicized case studies to open each chapter are--- you guessed it--- tales of disgruntled employee shooting all their coworkers.
That said, there are some helpful aspects of the book. They provide very concrete and appropriate guidance in the essential components of an effective sexual hatrrassment policy (although their sample policies are unnecessarily cumbersome and wordy).They also have some good info about the psychological,behavioral and organizational factors that may contribute to violence in the workplace.
Overall, however, not a particularly helpful or well-written book.
April 22, 2011
Highlighting on some pages, other than that very good.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews