Workplace Violence Is Leading Companies To Adopt Stricter Security Measures

Workplace Violence Is Leading Companies To Adopt Stricter Security Measures

Employers are becoming more vigilant about workplace security, implementing intensive screenings for job candidates and electronic badge systems for employees.

  • By Haley Samsel
  • Jul 02, 2019

As fears of workplace violence rise in the wake of a June mass shooting at a municipal center in Virginia Beach, companies across the country are adopting more measures to make sure employees feel safe in the office.

While mass shootings in the workplace are relatively rare — there have been 11 in the United States since 2006 — workplace homicides do claim hundreds of lives each year. In 2015, 417 Americans were killed while at work, according to statistics compiled by the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime.

These numbers have pushed companies to take action, according to experts interviewed by The North Jersey Record. More office buildings are equipped with systems meant to track who is entering the office and when, using technology like video surveillance and electronic badges to keep tabs on visitors and employees alike.

“It was only in the past two or three years when we’ve seen a much bigger spate of events at office workplaces as well as factory floors has there been a turn in attention to [security],” John Dony, the director of the Campbell Institute at the National Safety Council, told the Record.

Experts agree that the most effective ways of preventing workplace violence might be the most obvious ones: watching out for symptoms of disgruntled employees and thoroughly screening job candidates for signs that they will not fit in with the company culture.

Aggressive or abnormal behavior on social media and issues at previous jobs can usually indicate if the person will have issues at their new job.

“Employers need to take time to make sure the individual they hire is a good fit in all ways,” Robert McCrie, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, told the Record.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

  • Unlocking Trustworthy AI: Building Transparency in Security Governance

    In situations where AI supports important security tasks like leading investigations and detecting threats and anomalies, transparency is essential. When an incident occurs, investigators must trace the logic behind each automated response to confirm its validity or spot errors. Demanding interpretable AI turns opaque “black boxes” into accountable partners that enhance, rather than compromise, organizational defense. Read Now

  • Seeking Innovative Solutions

    Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. You may recognize these terms as the “5 Phases” of a grieving process, but they could easily describe the phases one goes through before adopting any new or emerging innovation or technology, especially in a highly risk-averse industry like security. However, the desire for convenience in all aspects of modern life is finally beginning to turn the tide from old school hardware as the go-to towards more user-friendly, yet still secure, door solutions. Read Now

  • Where AI Meets Human Judgment

    Artificial intelligence is everywhere these days. It is driving business growth, shaping consumer experiences, and showing up in places most of us never imagined just a few years ago. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.