Businesses re-opening after many months of COVID-19 related restrictions are beginning to shift the focus of their security concerns to the potential threat of conflict in the workplace. While tensions or disagreements may be part of any work setting, identifying the warning signs and responding appropriately can prevent conflict from escalating into something more dangerous.
Among those most dramatically impacted by workplace violence are workers in the healthcare community, with the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) designating workplace violence a “recognized hazard” for all healthcare organizations. Furthermore, The Joint Commission (TJC), which provides hospital accreditation, is recommending changes to its standards to address workplace violence that, if approved, would require preventive measures to take effect as early as January of 2022. TJC’s proposal requires an annual assessment of policies, procedures and education, including de-escalation training techniques and strategies to help prevent conflict from igniting into workplace violence that is defined as including verbal and non-verbal actions, threats and intimidation.