Ticking Bombs: Defusing Violence in the Workplace

Looks at the alarming growth in workplace violence and offers management a seven-step process for reversing the trend

Mantell and Albrecht confront employee violence in this unique business study. Their message is blunt and unnerving: "According to . . . U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, homicide is now the third most frequent cause of death in the workplace in America; in California . . . one in five on-the-job deaths was a homicide." Mantell, a UC San Diego medical school professor, and Albrecht, who writes frequently on criminal justice, offer tenable suggestions regarding intervention strategies, preemployment screenings, substance abuse problems and effective termination procedures. While their case history of a workplace murderer is too protracted, their coverage of disciplinary policies, employee assistance programs and protecting the workplace enrich their excellent study.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Workplace violence is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the United States. Homicide is the epitome of such violence, though other forms, such as the destruction of property and intimidation of fellow workers, are also problematic. Mantell, the chief psychologist for the San Diego police, and Albrecht, an author of books on law enforcement, attempt to address workplace violence through prevention. Their work focuses on identifying personality types that might explode and reducing the risk by not hiring them, or, if they are already in one's employ, dealing with them through better supervision and counseling. Except for the suggestions of employing a psychologist and security force, much of what the authors recommend is simply good management practice. Other recent books on this topic include Eugene Wheeler and Anthony Baron's Violence in Our Schools, Hospitals, and Public Places (Pathfinder, 1993). Recommended for public libraries.
Joshua Cohen, Mid-Hudson Lib. System, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Mantell was chief psychologist of the San Diego Police Department for 10 years. With Albrecht, he urges that it is time for "American business to recognize the critical role it must play in helping to prevent violence in the workplace," and offers "a practical, realistic, and cost-effective blueprint" for the task. Ticking Bombs provides a rational, integrated approach to workplace violence, including preemployment screening; informed, attentive management; supervisor and employee training; counseling for employees who have personal problems; an employee treatment "Golden Rule"; safe approaches to disciplining and terminating employees; and useful responses once an incident of workplace violence takes place. Includes Albrecht's interview with a fired General Dynamics employee who killed his boss and wounded an industrial relations representative, and a discussion of workplace security issues by Ira Lipman, chairman and president of a private security firm. Because resources on this subject are limited, larger business collections will want to make this volume available. Mary Carroll