For any organization, workplace violence can be a significant economic liability and a public relations disaster waiting to happen. Unless proper steps, including a detailed risk assessment, are taken and documented to ensure the safety of your employees, you could be faced with lawsuits, potential loss of life and a damaged corporate/organizational image.

According to the Society of Human Resource Management, nearly 2/3s of Human Resource professionals state that there has been some type of workplace violence at their corporation/organization within the last three years. The distribution of workplace violence incidents is as follows:

- 54% : Inappropriate language
- 13% : Verbal abuse
- 7% : Verbal threats of violence
- 6% : Sexual harassment
- 5% : Burglary
- 4% : Pushing/Shoving
- 3% : Fistfight
- 2% : Threatening emails received by employees
- 2% : Stalking
- 1% : Robbery (holdup)
- 1% : Threatening emails send by employees
- 1% : Bomb threat

Each year, approximately 2 million workers are victims of workplace violence in the United States, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Yet, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 9% of businesses reporting an incident had no program or policy in place to address workplace violence. Employers should understand the potential risks of a (violent) event in the workplace, develop a plan to respond to such an event, and know how to mitigate the loss they might experience.

SAM has a training program to address Workplace Violence. Once you have completed your internal risk assessment, please contact SAM. We will assist you in addressing any training needs to make sure your workplace violence policy is in compliance.

Bonnie S. Michelman is a member of the SAM Advisory Board which provides valuable advice and guidance with the mission of SAM — “The Safety You Want. The Training Solution You Need.”

She was recently named to the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano. Bonnie, who is the Massachusetts General Hospital Director of Police, Security and Outside Services was one of three newly appointed members of HSAC.

HSAC provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary on matter related to homeland security. The Council comprises leaders from state and local government, first responder communities, the private sector and academia.

Bonnie Michelman has been a very good friend of SAM and helpful in our mission to address school safety. SAM congratulates Bonnie in her important new role with Homeland Security.

Since our email went out a week ago there has been another shooting involving a 22 year old student and his instructor. The student was upset and left the classroom and came back to the classroom with a semi-automatic gun and shot and killed his instructor. Would you have accurately assessed his non-verbal communication? Do you know what to do if you are confronted by an active shooter?

SAM Programs were developed to address this disheartening trend. SAM’s comprehensive curriculum addresses preparedness and prevention, empowering individuals with practical safety skills. These skills will allow an individual to deal with aggressive behavior, bullying, violence and an active shooter.

On March 17, 2011, SAM is holding a one-day Instructor course. The course is being held at the University of Hartford and will be taught by Roland Ouellette (Director of Training, SAM) and Mike Kaselouskas (University of Hartford). The course will provide the necessary skills and training to allow an Instructor to go back to their community and provide training to all those that may confront aggressive behavior.

Unfortunately, aggressive behavior in our schools is only going to get worse. Be prepared to address this trend — sign up today for SAM.

SAM Programs

The escalation of aggressive behavior and outright violence in our schools is alarming. Everyone is subject to a certain amount of risk: students, teachers, security and administration. Nationally, teachers are subject to over 400,000 violent crimes a year and students, ages 12 through 18, are subject to over 250,000 crimes a year.

SAM Training was developed to address this disheartening trend. SAM’s comprehensive curriculum addresses preparedness and prevention, empowering individuals with practical safety skills. These skills will allow an individual to deal with aggressive behavior, bullying, violence and an active shooter.

On March 17, 2011, SAM is holding a one-day Instructor course. The course is being held at University of Hartford and will be taught by Roland Ouellette (Director of Training, SAM) and Mike Kaselouskas (University of Hartford). The course will provide the necessary skills and training to allow an Instructor to go back to their community and provide training to all those that may confront aggressive behavior. For more information and details see below.

“He/she didn’t fit the profile.” Don’t let this be your excuse — let SAM (www.samprograms.com) teach you how to be proactive against this alarming trend.

Thank you.

Roland Ouellette
Director of Training
SAM Training, LLC
P.O. Box 970067
Coconut Creek, FL 33097
954-255-6300
www.samprograms.com

As many of you know, I have been busy setting up a new company titled SAM Training, LLC. We officially launched in November 2010 and I/we have been busy talking about the program and setting up training sessions for 2011.

After selling MOAB Training International, Inc., I decided to create SAM Training to assist the educational community with the bullying and aggressive behavior that has become such a major problem in our kids’ education. Unfortunately, we’ve all heard about the horrific situations at Columbine, Virginia Tech and many others. And because of my training and experience, I know that these situations don’t have to end so tragically. With SAM, I believe we can make a difference and give those in harm’s way the tools to either stop or limit the damage.

I’ve committed my life to safety and the principles behind it. It’s important to me to know kids are safe in school and that their administrators and teachers are trained in the proper techniques to deal with aggressive behavior. Unfortunately, our kids are exposed to more and more violence and many of them face a real threat in their school environments — grade school through graduate school.

Please take this opportunity to visit the SAM Training website (www.samprograms.com) and also spend a couple of minutes on the blog. I have started to write about current events that touch on aggressive behavior in schools and society, so please check out my recent post, “Active Shooter: What to do when you are trapped.”

This program is important to me — please let me know if you think there is a fit with what you are currently doing or possibly in your community.

Thank you,

Roland