The Problems

Indirect/Direct Threats

When Paul gets upset, he will often say something like, “Now I understand what ‘going postal’ means.

I overheard Jeremy say after he left the supervisors office today that, “If that pompous ass talks to me like that again, he’d better watch his back.”

Barry screamed at Marianne, “This is stupid. If you ever screw this up again, I will shoot you!”

Domestic (Intimate partner) Violence

Jane has only been married for about a year now and is considered to be a good employee. But she has been calling in sick a lot lately and today she arrives wearing a long sleeved sweater and sunglasses, and she hardly acknowledges anyone before she goes to work at her cubicle.

Bob and James have been in a relationship for the last six months. Bob is a supervisor in the shipping department and James works in accounting. Today, Bob was overheard telling James that if he didn’t stop seeing Jose (who also works in accounting), he was going to tell James’ supervisor that he was having an affair with Jose

Stalking

Kathy comes to you and tells you that she is having a problem with Steve from sales. She confesses that she went out on a date with Steve one time about a month ago, but now he refuses to stop calling her, testing her, and has even showed up at her grocery store when she is out shopping…which is on the other side of town from where he lives.

 

Successful Resolutions

TWG recognizes the sensitivity of these problems. It is difficult in not only get all employees to realize how it affects the individual involved and the workplace, but how it indirectly affects their success within the organization and the safety of others. From this understanding comes learning the alternatives to better de-escalate situations, stopping hostile/angry individuals, and providing all with the power to take back the control in their lives.