Working Alone
When Working Alone:
- Discuss your work plan, so others know where you will be.
- Check-in regularly, or have someone check on you.
- Whenever possible, work in-sight of others.
- Use the buddy system, especially when personal safety may be threatened.
- Report feelings of discomfort or apprehension about a work assignment.
- Do NOT enter a situation or location where they feel threatened or unsafe.
- Plan the work & always consider escape routes – Stay Alert!
Domestic/Family Violence
DOMESTIC/FAMILY VIOLENCE
- Employee’s personal relationships & problems, are also brought to the workplace.
- Domestic/Family violence knows no boundaries.
- It occurs most often in the home but can spill over into other arenas.
- Family violence in the workplace is a broad concept that includes behaviour that occurs both at & away from the workplace.
- Family violence as it relates to the workplace includes, all behaviours that interfere with an individual’s capability to perform their work duties safely & securely.
On-site behaviours
Family members are:
- Harassing with repeated phone calls, e-mails, messaging, etc.
- showing-up at the workplace
Off-site effects/behaviours
Employee suffers from:
- sleep deprivation
- stress
- physical injuries
Action Items
Everyone needs to:
- Recognize that Domestic/Family violence can be a threat to everyone in the organization.
- Recognize the warning signs.
- Report situations of serious domestic or family violence.
Reporting
REPORTING
Under-reporting is common because:
- Perception that it is just part of the job.
- Seen as overreacting because there is no physical injury.
- Guilt or embarrassment of not controlling a situation.
- Perceived lack of sympathy from employer & co-workers.
- Fear of reprisal if legal action is taken.
- Not knowing the reporting systems.
- Management past practice of not responding to concerns.
Everyone Must:
- REPORT & log all incidents & threats of workplace violence & harassment.
- Seek medical evaluation & treatment as required.
- Report violent incidents to police.
- Co-operate in the investigation process.
Making a “911” call
- Try to stay calm. Dial 911
- When asked, state the service you require; police, fire, ambulance.
- Let the operator control the conversation. They will ask you for required information.
- Clearly state the situation location.
- State briefly & clearly what you have observed or why you are calling. Give any further information requested.
- If possible, stay on the line until emergency services arrive, unless you are in danger, or you have been asked to hang up.
Creating a Positive Work Environment
Disrespectful Behaviours
Include the following:
- Gossiping or lying.
- Shouting or speaking in a hostile tone.
- Saying inappropriate words or statements.
- Demeaning someone.
- Displaying biased attitudes or beliefs.
Respectful Behaviour:
- Displays integrity & professionalism.
- Practices fairness & understanding.
- Demonstrates respect for individual rights & differences.
- Encourages accountability for one’s actions.
Respectful workplaces don’t just happen, they are built.
Passive Aggressive Behaviour
A pattern of indirectly expressing negative feelings instead of openly addressing them.
There’s a disconnect between what a passive-aggressive person says & what they do.
They often do not like authority & find it challenging to work in a team environment.
Passive Aggressive – Examples
- Deliberating harming someone while pretending it was an accident or claiming they didn’t know it would upset someone.
- Agreeing to complete work or meet deadlines they don’t want to do & then repeatedly “forgetting” or deliberately doing a bad job.
- Always being late for any appointment meaning people have to wait for them.
Dealing with Passive Aggressive
- Whenever possible, formalize your daily communication with a passive-aggressive by either putting things in writing or having a third-party present as a witness.
- Keep a paper trail of facts, issues, agreements, disagreements, timelines, & deadlines.
Negative Behaviour
- Poisonous attitudes & behavior patterns that negatively influence others.
- Spreading rumors, bad mouthing co- workers, superiors, the organization.
- Basically, unhappy people who resist the positive efforts of others.
Dealing with Negativity
Consider why they may be negative.
Are they going through work changes, are the dealing with some personal issues.
Speak to the person:
- give specific examples of their behaviour
- discuss the effect on others & the workplace
- allow them to respond
Gossip
Great minds – discuss ideas
Average minds – discuss events
Small minds – discuss people
Breaking the Gossip Cycle
- You are not a gossiper – you just listen.
- As a listener, you are a co-narrator to the gossip. The act of active listening supports & promotes gossiping.
- The more you listen, the more you encourage it.
- If you don’t listen, the gossip has nowhere to go.
Assuming the Worst
Do you find yourself assuming the worst about other people when it comes to their attitudes & actions, especially toward you?
Try giving others the benefit of the doubt.
Have a conversation with the person or put yourself in their shoes & consider the reasons why you might behave in a similar way.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict can be constructive & creative if handled properly.
Conflict Resolution
- speak directly to the person(s) involved
- confront the issue not the person
- listen to understand
- own your contribution
- agree on a resolution
Consider the other person may be just as “right” as you are!
What do you see ?
You may have seen a duck.
You may have seen a rabbit.
Both answers are “right” !
