The True Power of Self-Control in Conflict 

When things heat up—whether on the road, in the office, or at home—the one thing that fuels the flames more than any other is ego. The need to be right or to “win” doesn’t just escalate conflicts; it drives people to act irrationally, making bad situations worse.  

The missile assaults by Iran into Israel during the Rosh Hashanah celebrations have caused shockwaves far beyond the Middle East. This escalation not only threatens a broader regional confrontation but also has direct implications for communities globally, especially those with strong cultural or religious ties to the region.

In any profession, one of the most dangerous threats doesn’t come from external obstacles but from within: complacency. This silent enemy often goes undetected, gradually eroding the attention and discipline vital for maintaining safety. The less likely a situation seems, the easier it becomes to relax and bypass protocols. No matter how skilled or experienced a team may be, when complacency sets in, even the best-laid plans can lose their effectiveness.

If you’re familiar with our work here at CPPS, you know that instruction is a core part of our business model. Teaching individuals about workplace violence prevention is crucial, and today, I want to share some instructional techniques that you can use when teaching your team, whether they are frontline staff or leaders. These tips are particularly relevant for those pursuing our Workplace Violence Instructor Certification.

Understanding workplace violence and its various forms is crucial to creating a safe, healthy, and respectful work environment. In this blog, we will delve into the four types of workplace violence, helping you recognize and address each one effectively. By understanding these categories, you can better implement prevention strategies and foster a safer workplace for all employees.

For over three decades, I've trained for, experienced, and taught skills needed to survive in the most dangerous parts of the world. During my military career and as a Department of Defense contractor, I've trained countless military personnel from every branch and even some foreign forces to handle unthinkable situations. I've also educated civilians on how to identify and evade extreme threats. One core message is always the same: be aware of your surroundings, as it could be a matter of life and death. One crucial principle I've consistently emphasized is situational awareness (SA).

The topic of workplace safety has evolved significantly over the years, especially with increasing cases of active assailants. While most organizations focus on training employees to respond to active assailant scenarios, a critical, often overlooked aspect of this preparedness is domestic violence. Given that domestic issues can escalate and spill over into the workplace, leading to active assailant incidents, it is crucial for organizations to include domestic violence preparedness as part of their comprehensive safety measures.

Workplace violence training is the armor needed to protect today's workforce – that’s the easy part to identify. The challenging part is navigating who should receive training, the required content, and at what level it should take place to comply with industry standards and best practices.

An active shooter incident can cost billions of dollars to an organization, and with the dramatic rise in incidents, this matter should have everyone’s attention. Not only can the financial impact be devastating, but its impact on employees can be the most significant cost of all.

CREATING AN EMERGENCY KIT BAG FOR AN ACTIVE ASSAILANT SITUATION REQUIRES CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE POTENTIAL THREATS AND THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN SUCH EMERGENCIES.

During an active assailant situation, every second counts. Having an emergency kit bag readily available allows individuals to quickly access essential supplies and tools needed to respond to an emergency. It helps minimize response time and enables immediate action to enhance personal safety and potentially save lives.

The modern business landscape presents numerous challenges to organizations, and two significant threats that require careful attention are Insider Threat and Workplace Violence.

Insider Threat refers to the risk posed by individuals who have authorized access to an organization's systems, data, or resources, while Workplace Violence encompasses acts or threats of aggression, harassment, or intimidation within the work environment. Although distinct, there are connections between these two topics that organizations should recognize and address to ensure the safety and security of their employees and operations.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive issue that extends beyond the confines of private life, affecting various aspects of a victim's well-being, including their professional life. As organizations increasingly recognize the profound impact of IPV on the workplace, they are compelled to take action and create supportive environments for their employees. This article delves into the subject of intimate partner violence and its far-reaching consequences within the workplace.

Workplace violence is a significant concern for organizations worldwide, with potentially severe consequences for employee safety, morale, and overall business operations. To mitigate this risk, workplace violence programs have become increasingly important. However, while prevailing standards may provide a foundation for such programs, there are other training aspects, not outlined in these standards that often go overlooked: security awareness, safe termination, and insider threat training. This article explores the vital role that each of these training topics play in supporting workplace violence programs and why you should consider adding one or more of these into your organization’s training catalog.

Workplace violence is a critical issue that affects organizations worldwide. It encompasses a range of behaviors, including physical assault, verbal abuse, bullying, harassment, and threats, which can lead to severe consequences for both individuals and the organization as a whole. Unfortunately, workplace violence is often accompanied by stigmas that hinder proper understanding, prevention, and intervention. In this article, we will explore two common workplace violence stigmas and highlight the importance of dispelling them to create a safe and secure work environment.

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, workplace safety and security have become paramount concerns for organizations. Among the myriad of strategies employed to address this issue, regular and recurring communication plays a vital role in developing safety and security programs, like workplace violence. Security leaders who utilize communication tools such as newsletters and short form video can cultivate a culture of safety and security within their organizations, fostering awareness, preparedness, and swift responses to potential threats. This article will delve into the significance of regular communication and highlight how CPPS' Safe Workplace Unlimited Package, with its comprehensive Communication Resources, can enhance workplace safety initiatives.

Clients often ask: why should I receive the Safe Workplace Certification (SWC)? How is it different than developing a Workplace Violence Prevention and Intervention (WVPI) program?

Improved safety, reduced costs, improved employee morale and retention, enhanced reputation, and compliance with regulations are among a range of benefits for organizations that achieve the SWC.

CPPS' Safe Workplace Certification is a highly valuable credential for healthcare organizations seeking to demonstrate their commitment to providing a safe and healthy work environment for their staff and visitors. This certification is earned by organizations who work with CPPS to develop a comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention and Intervention (WVPI) program. It’s third-party validation of consistency with national standards, like those produced by Joint Commission, DNV, OSHA, and ANSI. In this article, we will explore the importance of CPPS' Safe Workplace Certification for healthcare organizations in terms of limiting their liability, providing safer operating environments for staff and visitors, and saving organizations money.

Vulnerability assessments can help a hospital or healthcare system identify key improvement areas within a Workplace Violence Prevention and Intervention (WVPI) program. When performing any assessment, it’s important to have clear benchmarks to evaluate against. In other words, an assessment should help identify needs and gaps in a program or process based on prevailing standardization or regulatory considerations. For WVPI, the three following areas should be included as part of a vulnerability assessment for WVPI in healthcare.

DE-ESCALATE OR DISENGAGE? THAT IS THE QUESTION

Workplace violence is a serious issue in healthcare settings, with healthcare workers at an increased risk of experiencing violence from patients, their families, or other staff members. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), healthcare workers are four times more likely to experience workplace violence than workers in other industries.