Every day we wake up, send our children to school, go to work, attend
sports or other entertainment events, etc. Then suddenly the unexpected
happens. This day will not end like yesterday and a thousand other days.
Our lives are changed forever. Suddenly we realize how precious and
fragile life is, and we question whether we could have done something to
prevent this emergency event. We have become accustomed to violence, but
we do not need to accept it. Our study of workplace violence, terrorism,
and other forms of dysfunctional behavior associated with work suggests
that both managers and non-managers would like to reduce the risks
associated with violence at the workplace. The book is designed to help
do just that. You can be underpaid, overworked, or get fired even though
you are performing well. You can be a victim of sabotage or harassment
even though-or sometimes because!-you are doing an outstanding job. You
can be a victim on company premises of an angry, psychologically
impaired, or chemically dependent manager, non-manager, former coworker,
spouse, or even a stranger. The violent act you face may have stemmed
from coworker interaction, worker-boss relations, a sick corporate
environment, or even family problems. Top executives and other
managerial and non-managerial personnel clearly need to take steps
toward reducing the threat of workplace violence. Numerous studies have
been done regarding workplace problems, resulting in numerous books and
professional journal articles. Some books, articles, workshops,
seminars, and the like proffer general advice to managers. However,
virtually all of that advice has come from psychologists, physicians,
and lawyers. And very little counsel is provided to non-manager
employees on dealing with problems that involve co-workers or managers.
What has been lacking is advice that would reduce the threat of
workplace violence and therefore (1) reduce stress, (2) enable
organizations to develop potential competitive advantages in terms of
their personnel and productivity, and (3) guide organizational personnel
in their efforts to solve problems before they culminate in violent
actions. This book fills that need. We believe it is the first to offer
both general and specific information and advice from a managerial point
of view. The authors have spent their careers intimately involved with
the practice, teaching, and research on management and organizations.
