For many, the topic of workplace violence may, understandably, exclusively invoke thoughts of the types of mass shootings and other employee-on-employee violence that commands the most extensive media coverage. Financial services employers, though, like employers in other significantly public-facing industries, must address a broader array of concerns—ranging from threating behavior by clients, to domestic abuse spilling over into the workplace. The legal framework that has, substantially in the past decade, come into being around issues of workplace violence in some respects provides employers with important tools for addressing workplace violence, but, in other respects, can complicate employers’ efforts to maintain a safe workplace.
In a recent video webinar, Elizabeth K. McManus and Edward M. Yennock, members of Epstein Becker & Green’s Financial Industry Service Team, discussed measures that employers may take to prevent workplace violence and to address threats before they materialize into a crisis, as well as some of the challenges—both legislative and practical—that employers face in dealing with these issues. Topics explored include, among others: creating an effective workplace violence policy, recognizing and reporting potential threats, navigating the risks and regulations associated with mental illness and domestic violence, complicating factors such as the so-called “parking lot” gun laws, and the ability of employers to obtain workplace protection orders in a number of jurisdictions.
The following is a clip from the webinar: