What can be done to avoid workplace-related violence?

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The killings of two journalists by a former co-worker in Virginia is reminding many of the issues of workplace-related violence.

While saying he absolutely condemns what Vester Flanagan did, professor Angelo Soares with the University of Quebec says there are things managers can do to reduce the chances of violent flare-ups.

“This is more common than people may believe,” says Soares. “But I do not see this way of saying goodbye to someone in the organization as a very good way of doing it.”

He says the key is to intervene early whenever there is any hint of aggression.

“Managers must not close their eyes,” says Soares. “They need to solve conflicts, and conflicts is a huge part of management’s tasks.”

Soares says what struck him about this story is that Flanagan was escorted out by police when he was fired from WDBJ.

“If it happened in this way, it’s because something was very, very bad,” says Soares. “Intervention should be much more earlier than this.”

The most recent numbers from Statistics Canada indicate 17 per cent of violent incidents are related to the workplace.

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