Last September 16, a former serviceman with a history of personal and workplace violence and untreated psychiatric issues massacred 13 people at the Washington D.C. Navy Yard.
This has been a tragic cliché for workplace issue resolution.
As an employer, what can you do to prevent such a tragedy?
If you have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), be sure that you’re making the best use of it. Unfortunately, all too many businesses mention their EAP to new hires only on orientation day and do little or nothing to encourage worker participation after that.
An effective program can provide an invaluable resource for troubled employees who might not feel comfortable in confiding their pent-up issues to managers. –Maybe they find it difficult to access counseling or mental health resources available through their health plan.
More and more employers are providing counseling services to unhappy workers in a less obtrusive way than old-fashioned face-to-face meetings. Electronic, teleconference style services can take a lot of the stigma out of sitting in a waiting room or signing up for an awkward group counseling session (Millennial employees, who are more accustomed to spending time in front of their tablet than with a counselor, will probably be receptive to this approach).
Keeping an open dialogue with your workers, and a concerned eye on them, can be a literal life-saver. Problems develop in every workplace. it’s essential to remain vigilant and aware of potential issues that could trigger a shootout on your premises.
For more information, feel free to get in touch with us.
