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Troubling Workplace Violence Prompts LifeCare to Offer
Free Guides to Nation's Employers
WESTPORT, Conn., July 22, 2004 – A July 16 USA
Today cover story reports that during an average week in U.S. workplaces,
one employee is killed and 25 are seriously injured in violent assaults by co-workers.
Equally troubling, in its analysis of 224 instances of fatal violence, the paper
reveals that “many companies fail to identify risks or teach managers how to
defuse the tensions that precipitate an attack.” Peter G. Burki, CEO of LifeCare®,
Inc., the exclusive provider of Life Event Management® Services,
calls the article a wake-up call for employers nationwide and is making them
a special offer: his company will provide employers with a free electronic copy
of its guide, “Preventing Workplace Violence,”
which is designed to significantly enhance employers' level of violence awareness
along with a host of tips for diffusing and preventing volatile situations.
To receive your free copy of the guide, “Preventing
Workplace Violence,” send your request via e-mail to pr1@lifecare.com.
Please specify whether you wish to receive the version written for “employers,”
“employees” or both.
“Workplace safety used to mean practicing fire drills or wearing
a hardhat and goggles, but the recent USA Today
cover story—and others like it—are an urgent reminder that we need
to do so much more to safeguard employees from the irrational acts of a troubled
co-worker. At LifeCare, we want to lend a hand wherever it's needed,” says Burki.
Burki cites these examples from LifeCare's “Preventing
Workplace Violence,” guides of simple preventive measures and other personal
safety tips that are often overlooked by employers and employees:
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Tips for Employers and Managers:
- Establish and distribute security, safety and emergency
policies to employees on a regular basis, and provide related training.
- Conduct pre-employment background and reference checks.
- Be aware of employees who are experiencing high levels
of stress or emotional difficulties-traits that can trigger violent behavior.
- Institute and/or promote benefits programs designed
to help employees manage their stress and balance their personal and professional
lives.
- Provide post-trauma counseling and stress debriefing
sessions after any violent incidents.
Tips for Employees:
- Learn about your employer's workplace safety policies,
and abide by the rules.
- Take notice of any changes in an employee's work ethic,
personality, behavior, possibly upsetting situation in his life or newly acquired
poor personal hygiene habits, and report any suspicions to a supervisor immediately.
- If you suspect a co-worker is in an abusive relationship,
take the situation seriously—oftentimes, employees are targeted at the
workplace by violent partners.
- Avoid potential "danger zones" in the workplace
such as isolated or poorly lit areas, which can be conducive to crime.
- Investigate safety and self-defense programs offered
in your community.
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In addition to providing the “Preventing
Workplace Violence” guides to more than 1,000 client companies and their
four million-plus employees nationwide, LifeCare's trained specialists are on-hand
24/7 to offer information and personal support as needed. LifeCare provides
covered employees with expert education, resource and referral services on every
conceivable life event and issue of the day, including workplace violence, dealing
with conflict in the workplace, stress management, and coping with job loss.
Notes to Editors
Peter Burki is available for interview.
About LifeCare®, Inc.
LifeCare, Inc. is one of the largest privately owned employee
benefits organizations in the U.S. and the exclusive provider of Life Event
Management® Services. With 20 years of experience in delivering
highly personalized counseling, education and referral services, LifeCare helps
employees manage the day-to-day challenges of their lives. In turn, LifeCare
helps employers improve employee commitment, recruitment, retention and workplace
productivity. LifeCare currently serves 1,000 client companies with more than
four million individuals within health plans, governmental agencies, unions
and corporations. For more information, visit www.lifecare.com.
Media contact: Jim Derivan
LifeCare, Inc.
pr1@lifecare.com
203-291-4196
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