September - 2021

Teen charged with pushing a gun into a Sheriff's Deputy bullet-proof vest, head-butting her

Law enforcement officials have historically been at greater risk of workplace violence that virtually any other occupational category. A terrifying incident at a Rowan County, North Carolina drive-through restaurant yesterday represents yet another episode of occupational violence against an officer. Sheriff's Deputy A.D. Weaver had originally gone to the Cookout Restaurant at approximately 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday to purchase a soft drink. After arriving there, a citizen flagg

OSHA and Workplace Violence Prevention

Were you aware that the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began addressing workplace violence and workplace violence prevention on their website several years ago? OSHA is an official agency of the United States Department of Labor, and reports to the Secretary of Labor. OSHA is the federal agency that was created to administer and enforce the Occupational Safety and Health Act (the OSH Act) of 1970. Congress enacted the OSH Act to address concerns

Police: TN supermarket shooter had been asked to leave work before opening fire

Law enforcement investigating last Thursday afternoon's mass shooting at the Colliervile Kroger's supermarket announced that the perpetrator, who was employed within the store, had been asked to leave hours before he returned to open fire. The gunman who had worked routinely as a third party vendor in the store's sushi department, was asked to leave the store for an undisclosed reason. He returned at approximately 1:30 pm and shot 10 employees and five customers, one fatally.

The 2016 workplace murder of Ryan Birse and Thursday's workplace mass shooting in Collierville, TN

The following WVPI post from September 25, 2016 is self-explanatory: RYAN'S STORY The WVPI believes "Ryan's Story" is particularly compelling right now, in light of the mass shooting two days at a Kroger's grocery store in suburban Memphis -- the same state of Tennessee where Ryan graduated from trade school. According to published reports, the active shooter at the Kroger's supermarket worked there as a vendor. Ten of the 15 people shot by him were employees, doing what Ryan

Mass shootings in 2021 ahead of 2019 statistics

Yesterday's tragedy at the Kroger market in Collierville marks the 517th mass shooting thus far in the United States. Approximately 44 employees were working when shots rang out leaving two people dead - including the gunman who had been working in that store and has been described as "disgruntled" - and 12 others wounded at that Memphis-area store. It is not clear if the gunman was targeting employees, however ten of the people who were shot were employed at the store. The a

Subcontractor kills 1, wounds 12 at Tennessee Supermarket; Trend of Supermarket Shootings Continue

A man reported as a subcontractor who performed work at a Collierville, Tennessee Kroger supermarket opened fire yesterday afternoon killing one person and wounding 12 others before shooting himself to death. At least four of the wounded victims are in critical condition. Approximately 44 employees were working at the time gunfire erupted in their workplace at the store, located in suburban Memphis. According to authorities, 10 of the 12 people who were shot were employees.

The Killer in the Next Cubicle

Peek inside WVPI founder Kathleen M. Bonczyk's research on the continuing tragedy that is employee-on-employee violence entitled "The Killer in the Next Cubicle" here: https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Next-Cubicle-employee-employee-ebook/dp/B07B42HH6W

2 More School Shootings Today Proving Workplace Violence is a Global Problem

Two school shootings occurring at opposite ends of the globe were carried out today, continuing to prove that school and other forms of workplace violence is not just an American concern. Heritage High School, Virginia, USA A male student has been taken into custody following an active shooter episode at Heritage High School in Newport News, Virginia. Four students were transported to the hospital and all other students, faculty and staff were evacuated from the high school f

Staying safe during discipline and terminations

The greatest risk for workplace violence occurs at the time of or after termination, particularly if the separation is involuntary in nature. In certain instances, disgruntled former employees have returned to effectuate workplace violence days, weeks, and even years after the occupational relationship ends. Please follow the following links for interviews where WVPI founder Kathleen M. Bonczyk, MBA, Esq. discusses the growing epidemic of deadly workplace violence and strateg

The FLSA's prohibition against retaliation of workers for complaints about their wages

Last week, the WVPI published an article on this blog addressing the Fair Labor Standards Act ("the FLSA"), the federal statute governing pay policies. The FLSA has been the law of the land since the Great Depression, and is enforced and administered by the United States Department of Labor ("USDOL") Amongst other matters, the FLSA prohibits employers from taking retribution against workers who have complained about their wages. According to USDOL "Any employee who is dischar

Workplace Violence Prevention Institute - WVPI

a not-for-profit organization

Providing Workplace Violence Prevention Research, Education and Training