"DYING TO WORK"
 PART II: VICTIMS & LOSSES

After a workplace violence incident occurs, the direct costs are
reflected through workers' compensation and medical costs.  But
what about indirect costs to families, moral issues and
productivity issues?


  I.  The Psychological Impact

          A. The psychological effects of a workplace violence
             incident can affect people long after the actual
             occurrence. 

               1. Intense Fear.

               2. Sense of Vulnerability.

               3. Confusion.

               4. Difficulty in orienting themselves to time,
                  place and person.

               5. Nightmares.
     
               6. Gastrointestinal Distress.

               7. Cardiovascular Problems.

               8. Unsure of surrounding environment.

               9. Difficulty in interacting with co-workers.

              10. Difficulty in relating to spouse or children.

              11. Severe Depression. 

              12. A Sense of feeling "out of control."

                  If the employee is impacted by a workplace
                  violence incident, the family of that employee
                  also has a tendency to be impacted.  People in
                  close proximity to a workplace violence incident
                  may also be affected.  To help those affected by
                  workplace violence to cope with what has 
                  happened, employers should:
                     (a) provide counselling 
                     (b) be understanding about the emotional
                         problems that employees may be dealing
                         with


          B. Emotions.

               1. Fear of being Alone.

               2. Anger at the individual who committed the
                  crime.

               3. Thoughts of Suicide.

               4. Depression.


          C. Sense of Loss.

             Depression or sorrow over loosing friends or
             relatives.

          D. Fear of Others.

             
One study estimated that workplace violence costs employers about
6.2 Billion a year.  A single incident of violence can cost a
company a minimum of $250,000.  The indirect costs may be much
higher.


 II.  Productivity

      After an incident occurs, the employee may become dis-
      functional or may not work at peak level for varying
      periods, depending on the person.  This causes productivity
      to drop.  When productivity drops, the company's profits may
      be affected causing layoffs or other negative conditions
      which may have contributed to the original incident in the
      first place.

          A. Medical Costs.

             Medical Costs can continue long after a
             workplace violence incident.  Costs may
             include therapy and counselling for the
             employees and their families.

          B. Workers' Compensation.

             If employees are traumatized, they are more
             likely to file a workers' comp claim.  These
             claims often exceed the costs that a company
             spends to institute preventive measures.

          C. Insurance Costs.

             If employees file substantial claims through the
             insurance company, the end result is higher
             insurance premiums for the company.

          D. Retraining Costs.

             Some employees may need to be transferred to a
             different department or leave the company entirely.
             If this happens, the company will have to spend
             money hiring and training new people.

          E. Loss of Business.

             Customers may avoid doing business with a
             company which has a history of violence.
             This loss of business can contribute to
             "toxic workplace" conditions which contribute
             to violence.

          F. Loss of Image.

             Customers may not want to do business with a
             company who appears to have problems.  Workers may
             not want to work for a company which seems unable 
             or unwilling to protect them from this type of
             violence.


Workplace violence affects us all.  The price we pay for everything we buy is driven higher by the cost of violence at work.  And what about our image as a people?  We are considered a violent society by much of the civilized world.  How much does that cost us in international business and mutual trust?  In a very real way, we are all victims of violence in the workplace.