Workplace Violence Means Everyone Strikes Out
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By Chris Petersen   
Sunday, 01 July 2007
smc It's worth being reminded that violence can happen anywhere, and between anyone.
It's worth being reminded that violence can happen anywhere, and between anyone.
Summer here in Chicago means one thing: watching the Cubs succeed modestly before flaming out spectacularly. Part of the show this season was an incident that occurred in the dugout of Wrigley Field on June 1. Pitcher Carlos Zambrano and catcher Michael Barrett, after an apparent disagreement, got into a brief but memorable shoving-and-slapping match. For Barrett, it wasn’t an isolated incident, either.

Barrett also got into a heated argument with pitcher Rich Hill weeks later. Earlier, in 2006, he threw a punch at White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynscki after a close play at home plate. Faced with an employee who had a history of violent behavior and lackluster performance, the Cubs took advantage of an option unique to the world of sports: He was traded to San Diego.

For those of us without such an elegant solution at our disposal, however, the question of violence in the workplace requires a much different approach. While a baseball team can take a violent employee and trade him, the vast majority of businesses have to play offense against the problem.

It’s worth being reminded that violence can happen anywhere, and between anyone. The incidents can last less than a minute, but the consequences in terms of lost productivity, litigation and employee morale can be long-lasting. Barrett reportedly received a black eye and stitches in his dustup with Zambrano, but both men played nice for the press the following day. Your employees might not be so willing to grin and bear it after a violent workplace encounter.

As with most problems in business, workplace violence is best dealt with through preparation. OSHA recommends that employers establish “zero tolerance” policies concerning violence as well as verbal and nonverbal threats.

Background checks while hiring might not always seem necessary, but the San Diego Padres might not have known what they were getting in Barrett if his fight with Zambrano hadn’t been seen on “SportsCenter.” Since your potential hires probably don’t have that kind of exposure, it’s better to be safe and take the extra step.

According to consulting firm Workplace Violence Headquarters, employees who are more likely to assault co-workers tend to display warning signs. These include a previous history of violence, performance problems, interpersonal issues and frustration.

No matter how well-prepared you are, unfortunately, incidents between employees can still occur. In the event that you have the opportunity to intervene, Workplace Violence Headquarters recommends “active listening,” which focuses on listening to what each individual’s grievance is without taking sides or passing judgment. ESPN reported that Cubs Manager Lou Pinella left both players to cool off on their own. No one wants to see their teammates fighting one another, and with some planning and foresight, you might not have to.
 
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