New Prevention Program Targets Rise In Workplace Violence

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 1997--It's a development some experts already predicted: America's

burgeoning problem with violence has officially become a major issue in the workplace. In fact, the level of violence

has become so serious inside American businesses that the Centers for Disease Control has now declared

workplace homicide a serious public health epidemic requiring priority attention by policy makers.

And with good reason. According to the U.S. Department of Labor 912 workplace homicides occurred in 1996,

averaging 17 deaths a week. In fact, homicide continues to be the number one cause of on-the-job death for women

and the second leading cause for men.

In response to this problem, Cincinnati-based Great American Insurance Companies(R), a long-time leader in

addressing difficult workplace issues, has developed a Violence Prevention Program, designed to help businesses

both prevent and deal with workplace violence.

According to Beth Lindamood, senior market analyst at Great American(R) and a nationally-recognized expert on

workplace issues, while workplace homicides make national headlines, less catastrophic incidents such as

physical assault, threatening behavior, verbal abuse, harassment and fist fights are becoming all too common

occurrences for many employers. ``Every year nearly a million workers report falling victim to workplace violence,''

Lindamood said. ``Attacks and threats are the fastest growing types of workplace violence; an average of 18,000

workers are assaulted every week.''

And numbers, Lindamood said, may actually be low since many more cases of workplace violence go unreported.

``The Depart of Justice estimates that 58% of harassment offenses, 43% of threats, and 24% of attacks go

unreported to management.'' Lindamood believes that nonfatal violence on the job has become so widespread that

virtually all companies will be forced to face the issue sooner or later.

``Violence prevention doesn't have to be a big expenditure for a company,'' Lindamood said. ``Many of the steps to

making workplaces safer don't cost anything,'' She outlines five components that she calls fundamental to effective

violence prevention programs. They are:

· Securing Management Commitment

· Preparing and distributing of A Written Policy

· Expanding Pre-Employment Screening

· Re-training supervisors and employees

· Reviewing existing safety and security measures

Because of the growing level of violent crimes in the workplace -- including escalating murder rates -- the Centers

for Disease Control has workplace violence as a National Disease Epidemic. Currently one out of every six violent

crimes committed in the United States happens at work. Since 1994, almost 50% of all businesses reported at

least one violent occurrence, which is up from 33% in 1988.

In addition to the millions of lives affected by this trend, workplace violence is also having a severe effect on our

economy. Overall, workplace violence is estimated to cost American businesses at least $36 billion a year

according to a study conducted by the Workplace Violence Research Institute. In addition, Duane Fredrickson, a

Minneapolis-based workplace violence consultant, has found up to 50% decreases in productivity in the 6-18 weeks

following an incident, and employee turnover rates of 20 to 40 percent.

Companies or individuals wishing to learn more about combating workplace violence can contact Great American

Insurance Companies(R) to request a free brochure by calling 1-888/788-GAIC. Or visit Great American's(R) Web

site at http://www.gaic.com .