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ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s not easy for HR professionals to ponder that workplace violence could happen at their organizations, Jennifer Shaw, founder of Shaw Law Group, said during a SHRM26 presentation Tuesday. Yet, the reality is that such violence may occur in any work environment.
“Frankly, everyone at this conference should be in this room, because this stuff is so important,” Shaw said.
In addition to its psychological toll, workplace violence carries a staggering economic cost, estimated at $121 billion annually, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Acknowledging both psychology and legal compliance is key to preparing an organization for that possibility, said Dennis Davis, national director of client training at Ogletree Deakins.
“A lot of people are afraid of this topic,” Davis said. “What do we do when we’re afraid? We just go into denial; we don’t pay attention.”
