Workplace Violence and Bullying: How to Prevent and Reduce an Employer's Liability
Duration: 90 minutes
Speaker: Joseph B. Cartafalsa, Esq.
According to government data, nearly 2 million American workers reported having been victims of workplace violence each year, with millions of more cases going unreported. Homicides are the fourth leading cause of death in the workplace and, among women, are the leading cause of death in the workplace. Workplace violence often results from issues with disgruntled or terminated employees and from domestic violence that carries over into the workplace. Workplace violence is estimated to cost American business over $6 billion dollars annually. Managers, human resource professionals and co-workers are often untrained in recognizing and preventing workplace violence.
With the prevalence of email, instant messages and social network sites, employees have increasingly been complaining of "bullying" on the job. Although "bullying" itself is not yet deemed to be harassment under federal or state employment laws, bullying often leads to EEOC claims or lawsuits alleging harassment or other legally recognized causes of action. This webinar will include discussions of harassment issues that relate to violence and bullying.
In response to high profile suicides resulting from bullying, almost half the states have proposed legislation to create a specific cause of action for workplace bullying. Much of the proposed legislation is similar to anti-bullying statutes in other jurisdictions, including, Quebec, Canada; the United Kingdom; and Australia.
It is more important than ever to understand the legal issues regarding workplace violence and bullying of employees by fellow workers. In many instances, workplace violence can be avoided or minimized if its warning signs are recognized and addressed early. Similarly, many bullying claims, and their resulting legal liability and bad publicity, can be avoided with proper training and with proper policies in place.
Items to be covered in the webinar:
In this seminar, you will learn about:
- How to identify potentially violent situations
- How to respond to violent incidents
- How to address domestic violence issues that carry over into the workplace
- What is "bullying" and how to recognize it in your workplace
- Your obligations once you discover violent threats, harassment or bullying
- Helpful tips in drafting, implementing and monitoring policies to help reduce liability for workplace violence, harassment, bullying and other claims
- Whether your state has pending legislation regarding workplace violence or bullying
- The impact of recent court decisions relating to harassment and bullying
- Trends in other countries that will act as a model for likely legislative changes in the United States
- Issues regarding the "equal opportunity harasser"
- How an employer can defend against harassment, violence and bullying claims brought before regulatory agencies and in the courts
- Strategies to reduce employer liability and to help create a safer workplace and a more productive workforce
Logistics
- 90-minute webinar (Travel-Free) delivered over the phone and Internet.
- Unlimited listeners per connection - bring the entire department.
- Q&A session with the expert.
This event will be presented live by phone together with a PowerPoint presentation to be viewed on your computer. Internet access is not required for phone-only participants. The PowerPoint slides will be provided shortly before the event. Once you register, you will receive an email which is your receipt and which includes your instructions for dialing in and logging on. You will also receive an email reminder 24 hours before the webinar.
What is a webinar?
A webinar is a live Internet based seminar. Webinars are a way for participants in many different locations to see and hear a presentation and view PowerPoint slides. You can also have your colleagues attend the webinar using one connection.
What kind of equipment do I need?
You will need a computer with an Internet connection (high speed service such as DSL or cable works best) and a telephone.You may listen to the webinar through your computer speakers, in which case you will not need to use a telephone connection. Internet access is not required for phone-only participants, but you will not be able to see the speaker’s slides.
How can I share the webinar with my colleagues who may not be able to attend the event?
CDs of each program will be available for sale and can be shared with your business associates.
Can I get a copy of the PowerPoint slides used in the webinar?
The PowerPoint slides will be available on the materials page link in the confirmation email that will be sent to you no later than the morning of the day a webinar is presented.
How do I ask a question during the webinar? Will my question be answered during the presentation?
A question and answer session will be scheduled at the end of each webinar. You can then ask a question by typing it into the question box that will be provided to you duringthe webinar. You may also ask a question through the telephone connection. As many questions as possible will be answered during the Question and Answer period.