The 3 Most Common Misconceptions About Workplace Violence – Source: securityboulevard.com

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Learn how to overcome C-suite resistance to investing in workplace violence prevention programs — keeping your business safe and strong

In C-suite offices worldwide, leaders are focused on strategies to accelerate growth and streamline operations. While keeping your business humming is vital, one issue that could pose a real threat to your organization’s survival is a violent incident in the workplace. 

Although the chances of a mass casualty event are statistically low, any workplace violence event can have a dramatic impact on your organization. Unfortunately, it’s too easy to confuse unlikely with impossible. And if you don’t have a workplace violence prevention program, it’s really hard to stay on top of situations that might have the potential to turn into something tragic.  

Creating a safe workplace and implementing a robust and functioning workplace violence prevention program are critical components of business continuity. In addition to the physical and emotional harm workplace violence causes, companies that experience it face lost productivity, higher employee turnover, and a range of other issues that can have an adverse affect on performance. Often, these negative effects are felt well before a major incident happens. That’s because the pathway to violence is often marked by bullying and harassment that weighs on morale and performance.

In addition to the imperative of business resilience, there are also several legal and regulatory reasons for implementing a workplace violence prevention program. There’s the employer’s general duty of care, and increasingly, there are legislative and regulatory requirements compelling employers to act. States like New York and California have recently passed new laws. Nationally, in January 2022, The Joint Commission issued new workplace violence prevention standards for all accredited hospitals, and reports indicate that by year’s end, OSHA will be issuing new workplace violence prevention standards for healthcare. 

With that said, it’s likely that as a security professional, you understand the risks of failing to take a proactive approach to workplace violence prevention. But when looking to implement robust programs, you likely receive pushback from executives or other decision makers. I’ve found that the most common forms of resistance stem from a general misunderstanding about workplace violence.

That’s why I thought it would be useful to share the misconceptions I often hear about workplace violence prevention and what my colleagues and I believe is going on behind the scenes.

Misconception 1: “Don’t worry, we’ll know it when we see it.”

If you’ve heard this one, you’re not alone. This reflects a subjective approach to identifying threats, relying on intuition or experience rather than a structured, evidence-based process. It suggests that workplace violence is easily identifiable and that individuals or organizations will instinctively recognize potential threats or concerning behaviors when they arise.

What one person perceives as threatening may be interpreted differently by another. This subjectivity can lead to missed threats or undeterred concerning behavior. It can also normalize aggression as “just part of the job” and can lead to toxic work environments that tolerate bad behavior instead of addressing it. 

How you hear this misconception: “We don’t know what behaviors to watch for.” 

Companies often tolerate concerning behaviors simply because they don’t recognize the warning signs or know how to respond. Awareness training for all employees is the solution.

Help your team distinguish between someone having a bad day and behavior that truly raises red flags. Train employees to recognize antisocial or unproductive behaviors — such as insubordination, harassment, or persistent argumentative behavior — that may signal a deeper problem.

Equally important is educating employees on how to report concerns. Highlight the available methods, whether through QR codes, email forms, direct conversations with supervisors, or anonymous reporting channels.

When delivering this training, put a fresh spin on the classic phrase: “If you see something, say something.” Instead, emphasize: “If you see this, say this — and here’s how to tell us.” This actionable clarity empowers employees to take the right steps, strengthening your organization’s overall security posture.

Misconception 2: “We must be doing something right because nothing’s happened yet”

As a corporate security professional, you understand that security incidents are a matter of when, not if. Yet, many non-security leaders operate under a false sense of security, often because they’re unaware of existing problems.

One recurring theme in after-action reports is this: someone in the organization noticed alarming behavior but failed to report it. Why? Maybe because they fear getting someone in trouble or are concerned about retaliation. These missed opportunities to raise red flags put your security team at a serious disadvantage. Without these crucial reports, you’re left reacting to incidents rather than proactively preventing them. Your role includes fostering a culture where reporting concerns is encouraged and rewarded — because early intervention can make all the difference.

How security professionals hear this misconception: “We have no process.”

Early recognition and response to warning signs can significantly reduce risks. Without clear, practical steps in place, companies often fall into reactive patterns, scrambling to address incidents without a defined protocol for receiving, triaging, assessing, and resolving concerns.

Your employees need to know exactly where and how to report suspicious behavior or incidents. Meanwhile, your organization needs a well-structured plan for addressing these reports — backed by regular risk assessments. Start with a gap analysis to identify strengths and weaknesses in your processes, policies, technologies, and procedures.

A critical yet often overlooked component is a centralized system to track threats, incidents, and investigations related to specific cases. A universal platform that organizes this data and makes it actionable empowers your team to take a proactive approach to managing risks, including workplace violence. It’s not just a tool — it’s a foundation for better decision-making and prevention.

Misconception 3: “Incidents of workplace violence start suddenly and are unpredictable.”

You’ve likely encountered the misconception that workplace violence occurs out of the blue, without warning signs. This belief is not only false but also harmful. Most incidents are neither impulsive nor unplanned.

Believing violence is sudden and unpredictable fosters a sense of powerlessness, making prevention seem impossible. In reality, these events often begin with small, recognizable behaviors — changes in demeanor, social withdrawal, or increased agitation — that go unnoticed or unreported.

Recognizing these early signs is critical to prevention. As a corporate security professional, you play a key role in helping your organization move beyond this myth and toward proactive measures that save lives.

How security professionals hear this misconception: “We don’t know when to escalate.”

Many organizations struggle with determining when to involve other teams or conduct a thorough threat assessment. As a corporate security professional, you know the importance of recognizing behaviors that may indicate someone is considering or planning a targeted act of violence.

Pay close attention to individuals who:

• Struggle to manage grievances or grudges (real or perceived)
• Communicate threats, directly or indirectly
• Fixate on or fantasize about violent acts
• Take steps to acquire the means to carry out such acts

Without clear guidelines, teams may hesitate to act, allowing situations to escalate. It’s important that you not only identify these warning signs but also establish detailed policies for addressing them. This includes involving cross-functional teams — HR, legal, and security — who can collaborate to manage potential threats effectively. A proactive, structured approach ensures swift action and reduces the risk of harm.

For security leaders, understanding and addressing workplace violence is about more than compliance — it’s about protecting employees and the business.

Ultimately, the possibility of a workplace violence incident cannot be ignored, and employers must recognize its impact on the business and take proactive measures to prevent it. By correcting these misconceptions, you can build a strong workplace violence prevention program and set your organization up for success.

The post The 3 Most Common Misconceptions About Workplace Violence appeared first on Ontic.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Articles – Ontic authored by Cynthia Marble. Read the original post at: https://ontic.co/resources/article/the-top-3-misconceptions-about-workplace-violence/