One of your company employees experienced psychological violence at work. A staff meeting was called to

Question

discuss this issue. Explain how this can be solved through control. The following questions should
be used as a guideline.
a) Explain the type of violence experienced.
b) How was it reported?
c) What measures should the company put in place to deal with this?

Answer 1

a) The type of violence experienced by the employee at work can be characterized as psychological violence. Psychological violence refers to any act or behavior that causes harm to an individual's mental health or well-being, such as verbal abuse, bullying, harassment, or intimidation.

b) The employee reported the incident of psychological violence to their supervisor or manager. It is crucial for organizations to establish an open and supportive reporting system, ensuring that employees feel safe and comfortable coming forward with such incidents.

c) To effectively deal with psychological violence and prevent its occurrence in the future, the company should consider implementing several measures:

1. Establish a clear policy: The company should develop a comprehensive policy on psychological violence, clearly defining what constitutes such behavior and outlining the consequences for perpetrators. This policy should be communicated to all employees and managers, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach.

2. Awareness and training: Conduct training sessions or workshops to educate employees about psychological violence, its impacts, and ways to prevent and address it. By creating awareness, employees will be more equipped to recognize signs of violence and better understand how to respond and report incidents.

3. Encourage reporting: Establish confidential and easily accessible channels for employees to report incidents of psychological violence. It can include a dedicated email address, an anonymous reporting system, or a designated contact person within HR or management. Employees should feel assured that their concerns will be taken seriously and appropriate action will be taken.

4. Investigation and accountability: Once a report is received, the company must initiate a prompt and thorough investigation. Assign a trained HR representative or a specialized team to handle such cases. Ensure a fair and impartial investigation process that respects the privacy of the individuals involved. Based on the investigation's findings, hold the responsible party accountable and impose appropriate disciplinary actions.

5. Support mechanisms: Offer support services to the victim, such as counseling, therapy, or employee assistance programs. Creating a supportive environment for affected employees is essential to their well-being and recovery.

6. Continuous monitoring and review: Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of implemented measures and policies to assess their impact. Conduct periodic employee surveys to gauge the prevalence of psychological violence and identify any potential areas of improvement.

By implementing these measures, a company demonstrates its commitment to promoting a safe and respectful workplace environment, where employees' psychological well-being is valued and protected.