Post-Aurora Resolution: Protect Yourself from Workplace Violence

Last week’s rampage at a movie theater in Aurora serves as a tragic reminder that none of us can ever be too safe, whether we are socializing on a Thursday night or sitting in our office perusing some paperwork. Just as you might look for fire exits in a crowded movie theater, so should you be ready to run, call for help, or protect yourself from violence in the workplace. I learned this lesson early on when a coworker of mine was killed in her office at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency back in 1985. What I learned then:

• Know where you are: What is the address of your office building? What are its cross streets? What is the name of the building? This seems so obvious, but if you take the subway every day and are snaking through underground corridors to get to your office, you may not have learned the building’s correct street address, especially if your business’s mailing address is not the same. Do you know where you are in your building? Is there a room number, a wing name, any identifying information? Could you describe your location accurately to someone outside the building who is not familiar with its layout?
• Have the police department on speed dial: Even my three-year-old knew how to call 9-1-1, but doing so on a cell phone can be tricky. You may have to answer several questions just to get through to the correct police department (what state are you in? what county? What town?). Don’t waste precious time when you’re in a crisis. Similarly, an office phone isn’t always as user-friendly as one might like it to be. Do you have to dial 1 to get an outside line? Do you know the number of the security desk in your lobby?
• Be prepared to protect yourself: Is there a lock on your door? Can a portion of your workspace be locked off?  If a gunman enters your workplace, where would you go? Could you barricade yourself in your office? Do your office windows open? Is there a fire escape? Are there any silent alarms in your office?

 It is all too easy to be very cavalier about matters such as these. “Don’t overreact,” critics might say. Try asking people if they have ever encountered unexpected criminal violence or have a friend or family member who has. Shrug off the naysayers and make sure you are as ready as you can be should something horrific start happening.