Human Resource Management

Violence in the Workplace

April Baugh-Chears

Lewis University

Human Resource Management 59-588-T

Dr. Phyllis Parise

December 7, 2014

Abstract

The unpredictable nature of workplace violence has created a complex issue for employer’s liability both civilly and criminally. Employers are vicariously liable for the actions committed by employees that they employ based on the grounds of negligent hiring and/or negligent retention of employees who has a known tendency for violence. It is without a doubt that there has been an increase in workplace violence in recent years and the violent crime in the workplace is responsible for the death and serious injuries of others. With such an increase in violent crimes in the workplace, human resource management has the daunting task of probing the backgrounds of potential employees and scrutinizing of their mental stability because of the increasing subject to liability for hiring and retaining dangerous employees.

Violence in the Workplace

Until recent years, people often thought of the workplace as a refuge from violence and criminal activities that took place outside the workplace. In today’s society every person should be guaranteed the right to work in a safe environment free from violence, threats, and intimidation. Violence in the workplace has been on the rise and millions of people each year are victimized by violence while at work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injures, there were 506 workplace homicides in the United State in 2010 (United States Department of Labor, 2010). Employees with violent backgrounds often commit workplace violence and the types of violent acts may be physical violence or even verbally abusive behavior toward coworkers, employers, a spouse or strangers, as well as damage to property. The reality is that employers can be held liable for the harm that their employees cause. This is especially true when employers have knowledge or should...