Tag Archives: verbal abuse

General Safety Issues

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT REDUCING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE (GUEST POST)

Workplace violence is a serious social issue that can affect any place of employment anywhere in the world. While violence at the workplace is often unpredictable and there are no foolproof ways to eliminate it completely, there are ways to reduce the risks associated with workplace violence. Below you will find violence-prevention tips and ways you can help protect your workplace. 

Defining Workplace Violence 

Workplace violence is defined as any behaviors that make a workplace dangerous. Examples of workplace violence include actual violence, threats made against others or the business in general, verbal abuse, harassment of any type and any other dangerous behaviors. 

Ways to Reduce Workplace Violence Risks 

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of workplace violence is to be proactive. Employers and employees who are able to identify risky behaviors may be able to reduce the possibility of a violent workplace incident. 

Zero Tolerance Policy 

To ensure your workplace is safe for everyone, your employer should have a zero tolerance policy against any type of workplace violence. This means anyone who threatens, harasses, verbally abuses or exhibits dangerous behaviors towards others is referred to supervisors for the appropriate actions. 

Training 

All employees including supervisors should be given workplace violence training. Training supervisors and employees in identifying workplace violence can help reduce the risk of an incident occurring. 

Policies and Procedures 

Before any type of dangerous behavior is exhibited, employers should have policies and procedures set in place to deal with these type of situations. This way the employer and the employee are well aware of what to do and what to expect if this type of incident occurs. 

Be Aware 

Employees and employers need to accept reality, and understand that workplace violence is a real possibility. By accepting reality, they will be better prepared mentally to handle any type of situation they are faced with. 

Employee Assistance Programs 

Since many individuals involved with workplace violence have extreme stress or underlying mental health problems that spurred the violence, it is important for employers to offer employee assistance programs. These programs should offer employees the opportunity to seek mental health counseling or other services to deal with their underlying issues. 

Training 

In addition to the tips above, employers and employees should also receive training that includes how to handle a violent workplace incident. Since many people are often surprised by a sudden burst of violence, it is important that employees and supervisors are given the training to deal with these situations if they occur. With training, employees and supervisors may be able to handle a dangerous situation quickly and more efficiently, which could help save lives. 

Using the above workplace violence prevention tips can help you reduce workplace violence. Knowing exactly what you need to do, and whom you need to contact in a dangerous situation can have a huge impact on how the situation is handled. Stay safe at work by being aware of your surroundings and knowing exactly what to do, where to go and who to talk to if you feel threatened. 

Lynn Darsow is a security consultant. Her articles mainly deal with security at both the workplace and at home. Visit selecthomesecurity.com for more security ideas.

General Safety Issues

DETECTING NURSING HOME ABUSE (Guest Post)

1 Comment

Written by Carlos Santiago. 

The decision to place an elderly relative in a nursing home can be a difficult one for many families to make. In many cases, elderly individuals may be resistant to this type of change in their lives, preferring to stay in their own homes and care for themselves. However, at some point, this type of change may be necessary. In most cases, the relatives of the person entering a nursing home can feel secure in the care that their loved one will receive. Unfortunately, some nursing homes fail to provide adequate care and supervision, employing staff or implementing practices that expose residents to the potential for abuse. 

Sadly, nursing home abuse is a serious problem in the United States. As many as 1 in 3 nursing homes have at some point been cited for abuse or neglect of residents, and these numbers likely understate the actual incidence of this type of reprehensible behavior. While the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) conducts inspections of most nursing home facilities, the frequency of these inspections is not enough to catch all forms of abuse. Therefore, it is critical that those with a loved one in a nursing home facility be able to recognize the signs of nursing home abuse on their own. 

Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse 

Nursing home abuse can occur in a variety of different ways, and therefore, the warning signs of nursing home abuse can vary significantly. The following are some of the most common forms of abuse and signs that abuse may be occurring: 

Ÿ         Physical Abuse – nursing home residents may be subjected to physical abuse from staff or other residents. Some signs that may indicate that a nursing home resident has been the victim of physical abuse may include unusual or unexplained cuts and bruises, broken bones, and emotional withdrawal.

Ÿ         Neglect – nursing home residents may also suffer as a result of neglect on the part of nursing home staff or management. Some of the most common signs of neglect include sudden weight loss, lack of personal hygiene, bedsores, lack of necessary medical care, and the development of infections.

Ÿ         Verbal abuse – while it may not pose the same obvious health and safety risks as other forms of abuse, verbal abuse of nursing home residents can still have a powerful effect on an elderly individual’s life. Some signs that may indicate that verbal abuse may be occurring include listlessness, emotional withdrawal, unexplained weight loss, and refusal to follow medical regiments.

Ÿ         Financial abuse – because of the vulnerable position nursing home residents are in, some nursing home staff members may take advantage of residents by stealing from them or otherwise abusing their finances. Some signs of financial abuse include sudden or unusual financial transactions, disappearance of personal items, and emotional withdrawal. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a National Nursing Home Survey to help individuals looking to place a relative in a nursing home find the best possible place for their loved one. However, nothing can be done to guarantee that nursing home abuse will not occur. If a nursing home resident you know has been the victim of abuse

“Carlos is an avid legal blogger who has written on a variety of legal topics. He contributes to http://www.endertonlaw.com/ regularly.”

Thanks, Carlos,  for giving us the signs to watch for if your parent, relative, or friend lives in a nursing home. There are many homes who offer loving care, but it is important for family members to monitor their care.  Visit at different times of the day -don’t drop by at the same time of day each visit.  Look out for those who have no family to do so.  They are often the ones who are picked on, and must be protected. pb