Angry Employees

Services Private Investigators Can Provide When Employees Pose a Threat

Cornered and Scared

Employees can get backed into a corner when their perception (true or false) is that they are going to lose their job or are going to be disciplined from an employer.  People react differently to adversity.  Some do well and handle tough news appropriately.  Others yell and argue but it is really just barking without the bite.  And then there are others who perceive a great injustice befell them through no fault of their own.  These may be the employees who pose a threat to the company and their co-workers.

Who are these people? 

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Socially, these people may be perfectly functional.  They are able to get along with others and may even be leaders.  But just below the surface lies a crippling character flaw.  This flaw leaves them fragile as a result of rejection of one sort or another.  They basically cannot handle what life throws at them.  This trait was recently on display in California where a troubled young man evolved into a mass murder.  By his own admission, his ego could not handle being rejected by females and as a result, he could not cope with it.  This is certainly one of many factors of his personality but probably contributed to his actions.

The big clue

Of course this is an extreme case of violent reaction and there is no doubt about this person’s historical mental trouble.  However, there is something to learn from active shooter behavior which could benefit business leaders when trying to discern dangerous employees.  While there is a continuum of fragility and a person’s capacity to act out, one key to look for is an enduring and consuming grievance they are dealing with.  This trait is manifested in an escalation of behavior which can be detected if you are tuned in.  Suffice to say, the biggest clue is that these people often broadcast their intentions prior to causing problems.

Semper Paratus (Always Ready)

While it can be scary to think that you may have someone capable of murder lurking within your ranks, it should be pointed out that the probability of workplace shooters remains low.  While you should always consider this possibility, know there are more frequently occurring types of violent behaviors which work place managers must contend with.  These risks need to be addressed as both a probability and a reality.  Training, preparation and consulting with professional help when developing plans of action are always recommended.

Help is available

Here are come common services provided by professional investigators to companies that suspect potential employee violence or disruption when termination or discipline is dispensed.

• Background research – This passive option is used to find out what may be lurking in public records or in social media that may provide insights into motives and potential behavior.  
• Investigation – This active option is often overlooked. Talking with the subject, his co-workers, family and neighbors may best be handled by someone representing the interests of the company.  
• Security presence – Having security on-site at critical junctures, either overtly or covertly can provide peace of mind and confidence for those company officials carrying out the necessary actions.  And if something does go awry, the protection is there, just steps away.  
• Surveillance – Often, after an employee is let go, his actions are observed for a few days to make sure he is not planning on coming back to cause chaos.  
• Executive Protection – This goes beyond the protection of company executives but may may also be extended to their family members if the situation is deemed serious enough.  
• Police Liaison – Coordination with local law enforcement is enhanced by professionals who know how to communicate in the language police speak.  It also frees the company to concentrate on the business side of things while receiving concise updates of police activity or requests through the investigator.    

Vulnerability Analysis

It is cheaper to mitigate threats ahead of time than to pay for a disaster after the fact.

Who will protect this business? 

The task of shrinking risk to a level we can live with falls upon the shoulders of many different people.  Some, who own businesses, must do what it takes based upon their knowledge and understanding of what needs to be protected. Others are hired to do nothing but make businesses safe and secure.  Either way, this is no easy task given the many areas of vulnerability that could be addressed.  Couple that with keeping business operations unburdened by extra security measures and you find yourself in a challenging situation.

Despite the challenge, it is always recommended that you invest in protecting your business by whatever means are available.  And given the variety of assets that need protected – from people to trade secrets – it sometimes takes an expert to get the job done.  Even though it is your business or your purview, obtaining an outside perspective can be healthy and wise.

Protect the front door, the back door or both?  

One of the challenges in protecting a business is first identifying what needs protected.  It may not be as obvious at you think.  This is especially true if your focus is on running the business and making money.  In the big scheme of things, you know your competitive advantage needs to be protected.  This is also true for your physical property and your people.  But what may not be obvious is that all three interact to some degree.  What that means is that any valid security solution will need to encompass and integrate all aspects of your operation.  This is where a vulnerability analysis comes in handy.

A good starting point.  

In general, a vulnerability analysis is a top to bottom, front to back review of your physical plant and your associated safety and security program.  In addition to the physical make up of the property, the analysis looks at elements like technology, behaviors, patterns and adherence to procedures. With established programs, the analysis is able to review current standards and practices for practicality and effectiveness. For businesses without plans in place, it is a good starting point because it starts from scratch and finishes with a complete picture of where you are and where you need to go.  

The right approach with fringe benefits.  

Certainly, a vulnerability analysis of your business can lead to a safer and more secure environment.  Safe and secure is desirable for obvious reasons. What might be overlooked is that with these attributes, you are likely to see better performance from your staff.  This has also been shown to be true for learning environments.   So investing in protecting your business unburdens your employees from distracting concerns and frees them up to focus on the job for which they were hired.  

Commitment needed up front.

Contracting with a safety and security expert to evaluate your business is a wise investment.   And if you do take this step to protect your business, here are a few things to keep in mind:  

• Be prepared to be challenged by the findings.    Sometimes overlooking the obvious is embarrassing but good leaders know they are not perfect and that professionals are out there to help, not hinder. 

• Commit to making the recommended changes.  If you cannot get to them all right away, start somewhere and build on it. It’s okay to take it one step at a time, just keep moving forward.  

• If you budget for a vulnerability analysis, make sure you have funding left over to cover upgrades.  While you don’t know what will be discovered during the review, some changes may be critical and need to be installed quickly.  

• Use the analysis to create a new awareness of safety and security. Many changes are dependent upon human compliance.  You may have to enforce changes initially to mold the culture but eventually it will become habit for your employees.

• Safety and Security is an ongoing endeavor.  Use the vulnerability analysis to make a plan.  Review it regularly and involve other employees in the process.  Finally, track your progress toward meeting your safety and security goals.  If you don’t measure, it won’t happen.  

Finding the Right Professional to Solve Your Problem

People are problem creators.

Let me suggest that this maxim is just background noise at times.  Of course people are the source of our greatest challenges but it is just part of our everyday experience…no big deal.  We fix things that are broken, we move on and don’t’ think too much about it.  But sometimes we realize that the seemingly routine problem is not so routine.  We realize the resolution to our problem is beyond our capabilities and a solution requires the assistance of someone else.

People are problem solvers.

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If people are the source of our greatest challenges then they are also the source of our greatest solutions. But who are the people who get you out of a jam?  Given the infinite combinations of variables that make problems what they are, who can possibly know how to make sense of your unique and complex problem?

Who are these people?

When you realize you need to bring in outside help, chances are you know generally what type of help you need.  You may not, however, know specifically who you need.   Add in concerns about the cost and the fear of selecting the wrong person, you are setting yourself up for a nervous breakdown.  What many decision makers do is to seek a referral from someone they know and trust.  But what about the situation where this is not an option?

Where are these people?

Buyers who are seeking professional services are served well by looking at firms that have depth.  Depth translates into options and options make for a better buying experience.  Firms that are able to offer this depth of experience and skill recognize the inherent complexity of the problems for which they are equipped to solve.  This understanding by the firm should give the buyer confidence that they will find qualified options for their situation.

You can find the right people.

In the investigation and security arena, we have encountered many clients who are unable to pinpoint exactly the type of help they are seeking.  This is not uncommon as it is not everyday you need an investigator and we recognize this ambiguity experienced by our clients.  Savvy buyers, however, do know they need the unique type of help we offer.  And by assembling a deeply experienced and diverse staff, we are able to offer many options.  These options lead to solutions for a wide variety of problems and ultimately a better buying experience.  

Here are some things to consider when you are in tough spot and are considering professional services as an option:

1. Be humble enough to know that you don’t know it all.  Seeking out help is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of intelligent decision making.
2. When you recognize you need outside help, commit yourself to seeking the best help and budget time to see the selection process through (make a plan). 
3. Seek references if you are able but also do your own research.
4. Look for firms that offer depth and breadth of experience.  
5. Take time to interview your candidates – make sure they understand your problem and can offer a framework for their solution.
6. Once you find talented and trustworthy professionals, you want to keep them around so select someone with whom you can maintain a long term relationship.