Take a Flexible Team Approach
It may have become apparent in the case studies in Module 1 that plans for a coordinated response to reported incidents must be kept flexible. Responsibility for overall coordination and direction is usually assigned to one individual or one department. The coordinator must have the flexibility to use the plan as a guideline, not a mandatory set of procedures. More importantly, the coordinator must have the flexibility to tailor the recommended response to the particular situation. It is important to recognize that threatening situations often require creative responses. Given this, the importance of flexibility cannot be overemphasized.
The case studies highlight the need for backup plans in situations calling for an immediate response where the individual responsible for a certain aspect of the response effort has gone home for the day, is on vacation, or is out of the building at a meeting.
Taking a team approach in responding to a potentially violent situation is an ideal way to provide backup coverage. A flexible team approach ensures that all staff in Employee Relations, the Employee Assistance Program, Security, and other departments are thoroughly trained and prepared to work together with management to deal with potentially violent situations. It ensures coverage, regardless of which staffer in each of the departments is on duty when the incident occurs.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-10. Two important approaches needed when responding to workplace violence include _____.
- responsiveness and speed
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