Infographic underscores workplace violence risks and need for prevention programs
Workplace safety
SHRM HR News ─ In a new bylined article, Bailey Whitsitt, Compliance Counsel at Traliant, discusses the increasing risk of workplace violence and harassments that retail workers face year round, but especially during the holiday season.
While workplace safety should always be a priority, Whitsitt says the holiday season underscores the need for comprehensive safety plans and training. She points to a recent Traliant survey of over 500 full-time U.S. retail workers that finds Gen Z retail workers in particular witness higher rates of workplace violence compared to older generations and lack confidence in their ability to de-escalate violent situations.
The survey reveals a significant gap in the effectiveness of retailers’ violence prevention programs today and the readiness that employees feel when faced with an unsafe situation.
“Retailers face unique risks that they cannot change, but by addressing workplace violence with proactive policies, tailored training and supportive cultures, they can protect their most valuable assets — their employees — to significantly enhance employee safety.
─ Bailey Whitsitt, Compliance Counsel at Traliant
While California and New York have recently passed workplace violence prevention laws, Whitsitt said employers don’t need to wait for state legislation to implement workplace violence prevention measures to better enforce employee safety. The overall object of these measures should be to teach employees how to recognize early warning signs of violence, report concerns, de-escalate potentially dangerous situations and protect themselves in the event of a workplace violence emergency.
Whitsitt adds that Gen Z workers are newer to the workplace and often lack the experience to know how to report their concerns or gauge how their concerns will be handled. She points to nearly half of Gen Z retail workers surveyed who said they would only report safety concerns if they could do so anonymously. She said the finding emphasizes the need for employers to instill confidence that reports of violence or misconduct will be taken seriously.
Click here to read the full article.
