Workplace Violence: Dealing with a National Epidemic

Workplace violence has become such a problem in this country-taking an estimated 15 lives a week--that the Center for Disease Control has labeled the problem an "epidemic." Opening with personal testimonials from people who have lost loved ones, the program goes on to explore internal and external threats, and the importance of having zero-tolerance polices and employee assistance programs in place. Interviews with attorneys, corporate trainers, and security experts cover a wide range of topics, including how to detect potentially dangerous behaviors, the importance of management training, and the commitment to take all threats seriously and either direct the employee towards help and/or invoke punitive (though gently handled) proceedings. My only major quibble with the program was its advice for pre-employment screening, without any discussion of the fine line between ensuring a safe working environment for others and trampling the privacy rights of prospective employees. Far less expensive than Dying to Work (VL-7/95)--a workplace violence series which weighed in at a cool $950--Workplace Violence: Dealing with a National Epidemic is an affordable and useful overview which will be helpful in almost all libraries--since they are, also, workplaces. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (R. Pitman)