2020 has been filled with unique circumstances that require businesses to rapidly adapt. While many of the biggest causes of workplace disruptions in 2020 are circumstantial or exacerbated by the pandemic, some of them have been serious problems for a long time. One of those seen in this article discussing workplace disruption causes is workplace violence.
Tragically, in 2018, 20 out of 27 mass casualty attacks took place at workplaces. Whether it’s a mall or a restaurant, businesses can share liability if there are workplace violence incidents that harm employees or customers. If you are found to be liable for vicarious liability, negligent hiring or premises liability, you could have serious financial obligations to victims.
How can you take action to prevent workplace disruptions in the form of workplace violence? First, make sure that you are properly managing risk with applicant and employee screening processes. Randisi & Associates specializes in helping businesses like yours to create effective screening processes that lower risk.
In many cases, people who commit crimes have past criminal convictions.
How do you find out about those? During the employment screening process. Many workplace disruptions can be avoided before they even have the opportunity to occur. Be strict in your screening process and ensure that your application materials explain what types of convictions are in-congruent with the job position the applicant is seeking.
There have been many studies done about the predictability of future criminal activity based on the past, and one that we covered in this blog post covered firearm owners.
It found that people who committed alcohol related crimes in the past were likely to commit firearms violations in the future. It also concluded that, in most cases, bad behavior and a lack of judgment in the past also indicates more of the same in the future. This means that, when you see a history of criminal activity on an applicant’s background check, you should take it seriously and as an indicator of potential workplace disruptions in the future. What should you consider when weighing criminal convictions?
- Nature and gravity of the offense
- Time since the offense
- Nature of the job or position being sought
Make sure you work with an experienced consultant to stay in line with the law.
James P. Randisi, President of Randisi & Associates, Inc., has since 1999 been helping employers protect their clients, workforce and reputation through implementation of employment screening and drug testing programs. This post does not constitute legal advice. Randisi & Associates, Inc. is not a law firm. Always contact competent employment legal counsel. Mr. Randisi can be contacted by phone at 410.336.0287 or Email: info@randisiandassociates.com or the website at randisiandassociates.com.
