Preventing Workplace Violence; Local Professor Offers Advice on Steps To Avoid Incidents

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – April 18 – Frightened workers scatter, police officers crouch behind squad cars as an angry employee roams the office with a loaded weapon. Americans have become all too familiar with the scenario as incidents of workplace violence occur around the country.

However, Dr. David Sellen, a professor at Argosy University/Inland Empire, says work-related homicides are less common than other forms of workplace violence. “Rape and physical assaults are more common,” he said. “But they don’t get the attention of the media.”

Sellen, a professor in Argosy University’s department of Psychology, teaches courses such as psychodynamics, counseling and interview techniques. He has a law degree from Southwestern University, Los Angeles, and a doctorate in Neuropsychology from University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

Sellen works with law enforcement agencies in Critical Incident Debriefing, where psychologists help victims of violent acts normalize their feelings. He says that workplace shootings are often caused by a combination of events.

“These situations include a triggering event, such as a job termination, interpersonal trauma, such as depression, stress or substance abuse, and an unprepared workplace environment,” he says. “Office buildings are often less prepared for violent acts than courthouses and police stations which often have security.”

The typical workplace shooter is more often male than female, has a history of violence, tends to be withdrawn and a loner. Other signs include antagonistic and obsessive behavior and career frustration. Workers are also under additional pressure because of the lack of stability in today’s workplace.

“People tend to feel less secure in their jobs because of the way the economy has changed,” Sellen said. “The average person is likely to see at least three major job changes in their lifetime and most people are not prepared. People tend to think the employer will take care of them.”

Failing to prevent and protect workers from workplace violence is extremely expensive for American companies. Sellen estimates workplace violence-related lawsuits cost American employers about $500 million annually. Faced with these rising costs, more companies are being proactive in training workers to prevent and identify potentially violent situations.

“Ever since 9-11, more companies have started offering training to help employees address grievances and to defuse situations,” he said. “Many companies now offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) which offer free counseling for employees who are facing personal problems.”

Sellen said Cal/OHSA, which is responsible for enforcing workplace safety laws in California, has strong guidelines for companies on creating a violence free workplace. They also suggest companies have a workplace violence prevention policy and committee. Cal/OHSA also gives recommendations on how employees can report potentially violent situations to the company’s human resources department.

Sellen says workplace violence is preventable if companies take a more hands-on approach.

He offers these suggestions:

• Companies need to ensure that employees have workplace violence prevention training.
• Companies need to have an open line of communication to the supervisor so threats or strange behavior can be reported.
• Employees need to be active listeners. No threat should be taken lightly. Any threat should be reported to the Human Resources director or the supervisor.
• Employers need to make sure that employees have a venue to handle their grievances.
• Companies need to do in-depth background checks to screen out employees with violent histories.
• Companies planning to do layoffs can prepare employees for the change by offering counseling, career training and letters of recommendations.

For more information about Argosy University/Inland Empire, call (909) 915-3800 or go to http://www.argosyu.edu/inlandempire. For more information on Cal/OHSA recommendations to prevent workplace violence, go to http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh

Argosy University/Inland Empire is one of 18 Argosy University (www.argosyu.edu) locations in 12 states. Argosy University offers doctoral and master's degree programs in psychology, business, counseling, and education. Argosy University also offers bachelor’s degree completion programs in psychology and business, and associate's degree programs in various health sciences fields. Argosy University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA) (30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, 1-800-621-7440), (www.ncahlc.org).


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Wendy Vasquez-Osborn Named Interim President of Argosy University/Inland Empire

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Argosy University/Inland Empire has named Wendy Vasquez-Osborn, MA interim president for its campus in San Bernardino.
Vasquez-Osborn brings more than 10 years of professional experience in higher education to the position. She succeeds Dr. Darren Adamson who was recently named president of The Art Institute of Salt Lake City. A national search for a president of Argosy University/Inland Empire is currently being conducted.

Vasquez-Osborn joined Argosy University in 2006 and most recently served as director of Admissions for the campus. Prior to joining the institution, she worked in admissions for the University of Phoenix for seven years where she was instrumental in the successful expansion of learning centers throughout the Inland Empire area. In addition to her experience in the proprietary sector of higher education, she also served in a similar role at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. where she managed recruiting high school students from culturally diverse backgrounds and mentoring them through the admissions process.
Prior to entering education, Vasquez-Osborn spent four years in the social service arena working for Arapahoe House, Colorado’s largest non-profit drug, alcohol and mental health treatment facility. At Arapahoe House, she oversaw the outcomes assessment for the agency’s largest program focused on the treatment of women and their dependent children.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and History from Macalester College and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix in Ontario, Calif.
Argosy University/Inland Empire is one of 18 Argosy University (www.argosyu.edu) locations in 12 states. Argosy University offers doctoral and master's degree programs in psychology, business, counseling, and education. Argosy University also offers bachelor’s degree completion programs in psychology and business, and associate's degree programs in various health sciences fields. Argosy University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA) (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, 1-800-621-7440 , www.ncahlc.org).
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Media Contacts:
Christian Flathman
Sr. Director of Communications
912.201.8114
cflathman@edmc.edu

ARG-PR-112-INTERIM
Manny Otiko
Dameron Communications
(909) 888-0017
manny@dameroncommunications.com

Award-Winning Child Psychologist to Speak at Argosy University

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - Dr. Mark Katz, an award-winning child psychologist and author, is the featured speaker at Argosy University’s first symposium of the year. His presentation, “Resilience in Children,” will be held Thursday, April 12, from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the University’s campus located at 636 E. Brier Dr. in San Bernardino. The presentation is open to the public and there is no charge for admission.

Dr. Darren Adamson, campus president, said the university plans to have a symposium, featuring a noted guest speaker, every quarter. “Through these special seminars, our students and the community will be introduced to experienced professionals and learn about current and relevant topics in various fields,” Adamson said.

A resident of San Diego, Katz has served as director of Learning Development Services, a company that has provided educational and psychological services to children, youths, adults and families for the last 21 years. Katz has also served as the supervising psychologist at San Diego Center for Children, a leading provider of mental health services to children and families in the San Diego area. In 1998, Katz received the Rosenberry Award, a national award given annually by Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colo. that recognizes an individual’s contribution to the field of behavioral science.

Katz is also the author of “On Playing a Poor Hand Well,” a book that discusses overcoming difficult childhood experiences and how those lessons can be incorporated into the current mental healthcare system. Recently Katz was part of a team of experts who participated in a federally funded campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of bullying and other forms of school violence.

For more information on the event, please contact Dr. Deborah Wheeler at (909) 915-3770 or e-mail dewheeler@argosyu.edu.

Argosy University/Inland Empire is one of 18 Argosy University (www.argosyu.edu) locations in 12 states. Argosy University offers doctoral and master's degree programs in psychology, business, counseling, and education. Argosy University also offers bachelor’s degree completion programs in psychology and business, and associate's degree programs in various health sciences fields. Argosy University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA) (30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, 1-800-621-7440), (www.ncahlc.org).
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Media Contacts:
Christian Flathman
Sr. Director of Communications
912.201.8114
cflathman@edmc.edu

Manny Otiko
Dameron Communications
(909) 888-0017
manny@dameroncommunications.com