With over 300 mass shootings so far already across the United States in 20221, these tragic incidents have brought to light the reality that restaurants and all hospitality businesses need to be aware of to protect their employees from workplace violence.
Restaurant workers have been on the front lines since the very beginning of the pandemic, and as such, have been increasingly exposed to the risk of violence, potentially exacerbated by the current stressors, such as health concerns and economic uncertainty.
As high profile acts of targeted mass violence continue to occur in workplaces across the nation, many employers are wondering how best to protect their people, property, and profitability.
In one instance, Starbucks recently announced that it is permanently closing 16 locations in various markets over safety concerns and is instituting new strategies to ensure the well-being of employees inside its cafes.2
According to OSHA and leading industry associations, the short answer is employers should develop and implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Program to identify concerning employee behaviors early and provide a structured approach to prevent and respond to violence and threats.
As restaurant owners and managers, it is your responsibility to ensure a safe environment for your employees and patrons.
The best time to develop a workplace violence prevention program is before you need one. Therefore, if you don’t have one in place, now is the time to be prepared.
Workplace violence consistently ranks in the top three causes of worker fatalities, and OSHA reports that over 2 million people are affected by workplace violence annually.
Although it is crucial to take steps to protect from hostile intruders, it is also important to remember that many incidents of workplace violence occur from within.
When hostile workplace behavior goes unchecked, it can have wide-ranging impact. The consequences can be severe; from lost productivity, employee turnover, reputational damage, lawsuits and even workplace violence/loss of life.
Recognizing the warning signs of workplace violence and taking appropriate action is essential. It’s important that the focus is not just on individual illegal behaviors, but more broadly, the toxic workplace cultures that create unproductive, disheartened workforces.
When unaddressed, toxic cultures and workplace behaviors like bullying, harassment and discrimination can escalate toward violence.
There are actions that you can take to mitigate the risk of violent scenarios. Evaluate the workplace and identify both physical and administrative adjustments that you can make proactively:
- Institute policies and procedures that indicate a zero tolerance of workplace violence and provide direction for reporting and handling incidents.
- Establish an internal threat assessment team to assess and manage any threats of violence or concerning behaviors that you may become aware. Threats toward a business can come from a variety of sources. If you become aware of a threat toward a location or person it is critical that your team is capable of assessing and managing the matter before it escalates.
- Provide training in defusing or de-escalating potentially violent situations and inform employees of the risks of workplace violence.
- Consider the risk of assault when directing workers to take out garbage, store items in external areas, transport money, etc.
- Establish procedures for obtaining medical care and psychological support after a violent incident.
- Create a crisis response plan that describes procedures to follow in the event of an emergency, which should include evacuation routes and exits or building lockdown procedures depending on the situation, and have the plan posted for all staff and patrons to access.
- Establish an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with trained counselors who are able to address workplace stress and violence issues. As a confidential service to employees, the EAP provider will assess whether a situation needs to be brought to management and can intervene in employee conflicts.
- In the event of a shooting, management should record any physical property damage to broken windows and doors or bullet holes in walls or floors and take pictures.
Having a crisis management plan that you practice periodically is crucial. Unfortunately, senseless acts of violence are often unavoidable even with the best practices in place.
Workplace Violence Prevention Program development can often be a challenging process for the business leaders, safety and security managers, and human resource professionals tasked with building a program, however, they are imperative.
Work with your insurance broker and their dedicated risk management team to ensure that you’re prepared and protected.
For the latest information, guidance, and resources on to help you protect what matters most, please visit HUB’s dedicated Workplace Violence & Active Shooter Resource Center.
2. https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com…
