When the Centers of Disease Control label workplace violence a "National Epidemic", American businesses should take note. No employer, whether large or small, is immune from the dangers of violence in the office, factory or warehouse. Danger lurks everywhere: disputes between current employees; disgruntled ex-employees coming back to seek revenge; dangerous strangers from outside the business organization; violent customers, suppliers and the general public. U.S. employers must accept the fact that the problems of modern society have finally taken their toll.
Epidemic Proportions
The statistics are confusing and conflicting. Estimates run anywhere from 111,000 violent incidents per year (National Safe Workplace Institute) to nearly 1,000,000 incidents (United States Department of Justice study). Exact numbers are impossible to determine since it is estimated that more than one half of the incidents are not reported to the police.
