Going Postal - Violence In The Workplace

The 1986 killings by a part-time letter carrier, and his subsequent suicide, was not the first episode of its kind.  From 1983 forward, the United States has become chillingly aware that a trend had been developing with postal workers committing acts of violence against co-workers.   These events raised awareness of workplace violence. The term “going postal” became American English Slang for an individual becoming uncontrollably angry, and often committing violent acts in a workplace environment. 

I’m not going to address whether or not U.S. Postal Service workers are more likely to “go postal” than other employees.  I just want to address workplace violence. 

In 2003, The Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime issued a paper titled Workplace Violence, Issues in Response, which stated; “Mass murder on the job by disgruntled employees are media-intensive events.  However, these mass murders, while serious, are relatively infrequent events.  It is the threats, harassment, bullying, domestic violence, stalking, emotional abuse, intimidation, and other forms of behavior and physical violence that, if left unchecked, may result in more serious violent behavior.  These are the behaviors that supervisors and managers have to deal with every day.”

The OSH Act of 1970 General Duty Clause requires employers to “furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees”.  Citations can occur if an employer doesn’t take reasonable steps to prevent or abate a recognized violence hazard in the workplace.  While there are industries considered particularly vulnerable to workplace violence, all companies should take steps to implement effective safety measures to reduce the threat of workplace violence.  In 2011 the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration released a new directive on workplace violence. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 600 people a year are victims of workplace homicide.  As recent as 2009, homicide was the number one cause of death for a woman on the job.   In 2010, workplace violence accounted for 18% of all work related fatal occupational injuries (assaults and suicides). 

Warning signs that an employee may be contemplating violence include a confrontational attitude, threatening co-workers, clients, customers, or boss, bragging about guns, and/or aggressive behavior.  Take steps to protect your employees: 

• Be aware of the warning signs. 
• Understand your policy. 
• Report to HR and upper management so that the organization can take action to protect its employees.

Workplace violence can affect employees, visitors, customers, and clients, even at times, employee families. Prevention programs that do not consider harassment in all forms and threats are likely to be ineffective. As an employer, we have a legal and ethical obligation to provide employees with an environment free from threats, harassment or violence.