Workplace Violence from an organizational perspective - Coursework Example

During the incident, the admission clerk who was threatened by the three men alerted the security force, and other members of the organization. The police who were present at the time swung into action and managed to apprehend the offenders. The incident left many of the organization’s staff members traumatized, the admission clerk getting affected to the point of leaving work. The affected staff were offered emotional counseling to help them overcome emotional trauma. The federal government has no specific requirements to protect workers from violence in the organization.

However, there are a number of organizations that have come up with standards to prevent violence in the workplace, assigning responsibility for safety in the workplace. The US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for example has established guidelines and made recommendations aimed at reducing workers’ exposure to violence. The organization has however not instituted any rules in this respect. Each state has the capacity to enact legislations relating to workplace safety.

Currently, 16 states have enacted legislations that demand the establishment of workplace violence prevention programs, the study of violence in the workplace, incident reporting and tougher penalties for offenders. The Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) demands the reasonable protection of employees from violence and that incidences of violence be reported to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. The healthcare facility being accredited by the Joint Commission needs to comply with the commission’s standards and therefore manage safety risks.

According to the Environment of Care Standard 1.10, the organization should have a written safety plan that complies with OSHA recommendations, calling for staff commitment to safety. Management needs to monitor the organization taking not signs of violence for granted. Compromising on workplace safety and security may have serious legal implications on both employers and workers. Management styles employed in running the organization should be constructive and strategies that are aimed at boosting safety and security should be implemented.

The worksite should also be analyzed for potential and real hazards and workers trained on safety and health. Furthermore, the organization’s culture should be one that is intolerant to violence as demonstrated by its vision and mission. Management also needs to utilize tested models in resolving conflicts, complete a threat assessment and keep records that relate to threats and violence in the organization. Furthermore, a multidisciplinary approach should be taken in ensuring that the entire workforce understands the organization’s “no violence” policy.

Registered Nurses (RN) need to promptly asses every employee’s safety needs and assist them accordingly while at the same time seeking to ensure that patients live in a safe environment. Indeed, all employees wish to work in a safe and secure environment. However, workplace violence impacts the healthcare industry negatively, especially with respect to the recruitment and retention of staff. Violence lowers workers’ morale and could cause physical pain and emotional trauma. Emotional trauma is commonly associated with poor work performance, absenteeism and high employee turnover.

In order to establish such an environment, both management and employees should take a proactive role to establish a positive culture – one that prioritizes safety and good health. Management should asses risks and respond to safety needs appropriately, training employees on the subject in case of need. Workers on the other hand should be committed to providing