Citation

Long B. Clin. Occup. Environ. Med. 2003; 3(4): 803-820.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S1526-0046(03)00124-9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The 21st century workplace poses appreciable risks that companies can manage only by establishing well-structured policies and procedures that support company values. When special expertise is needed, consultants can intervene, manage, educate, or evaluate. Careful attention to the guidelines presented in this article can help to minimize risks and maximize employee productivity, job satisfaction, and overall safety. Companies must realize that workplace hostility can involve competing responsibilities and complex psychologic issues that sometimes may seem impossible to untangle. It is useful for companies to establish alliances with mental health practitioners, who can help navigate through such treacherous waters. When problems arise, consultants can help companies recognize and overcome their own reluctance to recognize and respond effectively to complaints of inappropriate workplace hostility, aggression, and threats. Consultants can evaluate problems, interview complainants and offenders for reasonableness and the presence of any mental disorder, and determine the risk, if any, for suicide, homicide, assault, or domestic abuse. They also can look for possible dysfunctional personality styles that may be disrupting an otherwise stable atmosphere and contributing to a pervasive sense of hostility, anxiety, and fear in the workplace. They can suggest ways in which the company can address conflict between employees, improve communication between employees and their managers, and defuse a potentially volatile situation. Before problems arise, consultants can help a company review its overall values statement and examine ways in which the company can address more effectively the problems of workplace hostility, harassment, bullying, and other forms of inappropriate aggression so that future problems, ranging from ongoing conflict, to litigation, to possible violence, can be prevented.

Language: en