Workplace Violence

Homicide is now the third highest work-related cause of death in the United States. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, in a study of homicides at work from 1980 to 1988, found that homicide accounted for 12% of job-related deaths.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that homicide was the leading cause of death for women at work, accounting for 42% of on-the-job fatalities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, after motor vehicle incidents, homicide is the leading cause of death in the workplace. The Justice Department reported in 1994 that one-sixth of all violent crimes in the United States occur in the workplace. The statistics tell the story... here's some information that can help you better prepare for and avoid violence at your place of work.

There is a potential for violence in every workplace. (Item #1)   Employers need to be aware they may be liable for injuries caused by workplace violence. (Item #2)   While there's no way to predict workplace violence accurately, there are warning signs that can aid in prevention. (Item #3) 

The two most effective strategies for dealing with a bully who has targeted you are Fight and Flight. (Item #4)   Negligent hiring and negligent retention can put employers at risk. (Item #5)   The Sept. 8 killing of Yale graduate student Annie Lewas another harrowing instance of what authorities called "workplace violence." (Item #6)  

For the whole story, read this week's issue of our NewsBriefs at http://www.attainium.net/newsbriefs

Business Continuity Planning

A business continuity plan won’t protect an organization against all reasons for failure, but it can prepare and protect you against a great many such reasons. Insurance doesn’t protect against everything, either, and you may never have to make a claim. Would you consider running your business without insurance? Probably not. Nor should you fail to have a business continuity plan at the ready – just in case. This week’s articles can help you rethink your business continuity strategies.

This article focuses on three of the most widespread and persistent of myths about the nature of crises. (Item #1) For top management to dedicate funds and resources to contingency planning, more than a demonstrable need must be shown. (Item #2) Are we in danger of forgetting the most important aspect of recovery? (Item #3)

Here’s advice for those faced with developing their first business continuity plan. (Item #4) To avoid becoming a casualty of succession statistics, senior management must come to grips with passing on the assets and management control from one generation to the next. (Item #5) Recessions amplify risks; the absence of a tested plan is much more dangerous in a recession. (Item #6)

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Cyber Serurity Issues

Does it sometimes seem that everything we do today relies on computers and the Internet? Our most important business and personal information, stored on computers, are constantly at risk from cyber attacks. In order to protect yourself and your organization, you have to know what the risks are and what to do about them. This week’s articles can help you defend against such attacks.

You buy insurance, put locks on the doors, and install fire alarms to protect your premises; have you made cyber security the same priority? (Item #1) Here’s a one-stop source for lots of valuable information on cyber crime. (Item #2) A single hacker can cause damage to a large number of computer networks; it can help to improve your cyber security. (Item #3)

Social networks allow phishing schemes to spread rapidly. (Item #4) Cyber-warfare and cyber-attacks have now become a reality; are you ready? (Item #5) Would you know if there was spyware on your computers? (Item #6)

Read this week's issue at http://www.attainium.net/newsbriefs

Testing and Exercising your Business Continuity Plan

Your business continuity plan may be backed by good technology and written documentation, but unless it's brought out and tested every now and then, there is still a risk that everything may not work as it should when a real emergency does occur. Think of it as a parachute… you have to know you can trust it! The articles below can help you plan, prepare for, and conduct BC exercises.

An exercise’s effectiveness has a direct correlation to the amount of planning and preparation completed beforehand. (Item #1) If your exercise is not uncovering problems, you may not be doing it right. (Item #2) Things will get fairly hectic during a typical large-scale disaster recovery exercise. As an observer, what must you know? (Item #3)

Playing the role of an attacker can make your team better at defense. (Item #4) Looking for a good plot line for your next BCP exercise? (Item #5) There were a number of lessons learned in the three exercises described here. (Item #6)

Read the entire issue at http://www.attainium.net/newsbriefs