For employers, she offers the following tips:
- Create a safe environment that’s not fear-based: A workplace where people work in fear and walk on eggshells can heighten the risk that one of them may “explode” with rage.
- Managers should check in with their employees daily: Be sure you’re tuned in to your team’s morale.
- Don’t rely on your gut in hiring decisions: That’s what background checks and references are for; ask questions that can point to a potential hire’s character as much as work performance.
- Employees have to bear some responsibility for safety as well: If you see something, say something. This has become a common meme in the New York City subways and other places. A co-worker behaving erratically should be reported to a manager without delay.
- Don’t engage an employee on your own: If a co-worker’s behavior is making you feel uncomfortable or harassed, report the person to higher-ups or HR personnel.
- Don’t neglect your own mental health: Try to keep to regular work hours and limit the time you’re plugged into the office from home. Experts say too much “technology” can lead to depression, sleep disorders and mental health problems.