Workplace Violence: The United States Postal Service

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Workplace violence is a growing concern for employers and employees nationwide. Workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve employees, clients, customers and visitors. The “Going Postal” incident is one of the most popular workplace violence acts that have occurred and gained public attention nationwide.
The United States Postal Service is known for having one of the biggest workplace violence incidents which is the incident that is known worldwide as the Edmond Post Office Shooting. This event occurred on the 20th of August …show more content…

Sherrill was referred to having drinking problem that was a result of him dealing with some marital issue. On the 19th of August 1986, the day before the shooting Sherrill was reprimanded by two supervisors Richard Esser Jr and Bill Bland in a private room for disruptive behavior with others, attendance issues and attending work intoxicated on several occasions. It was said that Sherrill met with a female clerk who had been kind to him and ask her if she was coming to work tomorrow and she replied by saying “yes I am” and he told her she should stay …show more content…

If proper safety precaution were put in place at the American postal service in Edmond Oklahoma the Edmond Post Office Shooting might not have occurred. It was the management duty to deal with Sherrill mental disorder because they knew he was an unstable worker so necessary treatment and precautions should have been administered to him. Another factor that could have help to prevent that incident from occurring was if proper security and safety measure were implemented. If proper search exercise was conducted at the workplace by security personnel Sherrill would not have been able to enter the compound with his fire arm. Another measure that could have help with the prevention of the incident was if proper OSHA practices were followed by installing metal detectors, surveillance camera and emergency evacuation were installed and implemented it could of help to reduce the amount of people who were killed and

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