Warning Signs Of Workplace Violence

About two million people are subject to some kind of workplace violence every year, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Workplace violence can happen in any work environment, and can come from both coworkers and nonworkers alike. While there is nothing you can do to guarantee violence will never happen, you can educate yourself about the warning signs and common factors present in many workplace violence situations.

Behavioral Signs

Several common behavioral indicators are often present in employees who are experiencing high levels of stress, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. These indicators do not mean a person will commit workplace violence, nor does the lack of such factors preclude a person from becoming violent. People experiencing elevated stress, however, are more likely to display violent or destructive behavior than those who are not.

Some behavioral signs of stress include any marked changes in a person's behavior patterns; an increase in destructive behavior at the workplace; outbursts and emotional displays; cursing; blaming others; and social isolation.

Physical Signs

Some physical signs of stress are often expressed unconsciously, or without the person being able to suppress them. As such, these uncontrollable signs can be strong indicators of an at-risk person. For example, you might notice a person's face turning red or white; trembling or shaking; exaggerated gestures or loud talking; or facial expressions, such as scowls or sneers, when talking.

Organizational Signs

According to the Department of the Interior, environmental factors can exacerbate a person's anger or feelings of resentment, increasing the potential for violence. Such factors include a highly authoritarian leadership style among managers, unpredictable supervisory practices, hostile and threatening work environments that allow for continued harassment or intimidation between employees, and frequent invasions of employee privacy.

Verbal Signs

According to the Office of Personnel Management, people at-risk for workplace violence often use specific language. Communicating verbal threats, making inappropriate references to weapons, violence or guns, or expressing desperation and thoughts of suicide can be precursors to violence or warning signs of the person's instability.