News Notes: On-The-Job Violence A Big Concern For California Employers

One in five human resource executives reported a violent workplace episode, according to a new survey of Southern California employers by Thomas Staffing Services in Irvine. Respondents expressed the most concern over fist fights, guns, and obscene or threatening phone calls. Nearly all believed preventive measures such as pre-employment screening, tighter security and employee hotlines could effectively minimize the danger of workplace violence. In a related note, the National Safe Workplace Institute in Charlotte, N.C., has calculated that just one episode of serious violence can cost $250,000 in lawsuits, medical bills, and property damage-not to mention the injury or death of employees or others.