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Recent events have employers once again wondering if they do enough to address the risk of workplace violence. After a mass shooting, for example, businesses and other organizations sometimes look back with 20/20 hindsight and notice warning signs that they might have overlooked. A durable workplace violence prevention plan may help employers identify the hard-to-detect signs of potentially problematic behavior. Below are some considerations when formulating workplace violence plans.

Breadth of Scope and Application

A workplace violence plan often defines workplace violence broadly, so that the plan applies to a wide range of potentially problematic behaviors. An example definition is, “any act of aggression, or threat of an act of aggression, including verbally abusive behavior, that threatens the safety, security, or well-being of an individual who is at work or on duty.” This definition is sufficiently broad to apply to acts as well as “threats” to both employees at work and those who are simply “on duty,” such as employees traveling or working remotely. It also may encompass “verbally abusive behavior” that may fall short of a violent act or threatened act. In addition, a broad plan may also address risks posed not just by employees/coworkers, but also by (i) people without any relationship to the company (i.e., a random aggressor); (ii) people who receive services, such as customers, patients, passengers, or clients; and (iii) third parties who...

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