Evaluating Safe Working Conditions free essay sample

Axia College Material Appendix E Evaluating Safe Working Conditions Directions: Read each scenario and answer the following questions. 1. Workplace Violence Sam is a security officer for ABC Corporation in the Phoenix area. He is always stationed at the security desk in the main lobby to greet employees and visitors. One day he observed an employee from the finance department muttering something under his breath and acting strangely as he walked by the security desk. He noticed this same behavior the following day. On the third day, there was a shooting in the finance department. The director of finance and her administrative assistant were shot and killed by the employee exhibiting strange behavior; the employee committed suicide prior to the arrival of the police. What should Sam have done prior to the incident? Should the security officer have notified anyone about the employee’s strange behavior? What company policies do you think should be in place regarding situations similar to this? Explain your answer. In this scenario its tough for Sam to sort out although the man was acting strangely its hard to say whether he would become violent because of his strange behavior. And had he approached the man in mind would have angered him or offended him. But in any case you have to realize to protect others you have to investigate that means approaching individuals who may be offended to seek out the truth. When Sam first saw the man acting strangely should notify both his supervisor and the mans supervisor. By doing this Sam would have set things in motion for management to keep a close eye on the individual who was acting strangely. Sam also could have searched the man every time he entered the building. A policy that would be good for the company would be to add metal detectors in a search of all bags when entering the building. 2. Sexual Harassment Harriet is a new security officer working in the Foxwoods Mall. She has been working in this capacity for the past three months. She patrols the mall on the 3 – 11 p. m. shift and watches out for the safety of the patrons. Ralph, a 40-year-old divorced male, is her supervisor. Ralph has been working mall security for five years and expects a promotion in a few months. Ralph has approached Harriet on several occasions in the security break room. At one point, he complimented her figure. On another occasion, he asked her what she was doing after work. Harriet feels this is unwanted contact between the supervisor and herself. What should Harriet do? Do you think these contacts constitute sexual harassment? What policies and procedures should this company have in place regarding this type of situation? Explain your answer. Harriet informed her supervisor of the feelings explain to him that she is uncomfortable with the way he talks to her, and then she would like to keep their relationship on a business level. If after talking to the supervisor and theres no resolution and she continues to feel uncomfortable then she should notify his superior and report how uncomfortable she feels when he her supervisor speaks to her. Sexual harassment is a serious offense and 90% of it in the workplace are cause by individuals who have not been educated how to conduct themselves in a professional setting on a personal level. I believe if Ralf had continued to talk to Harriet in a manner that made her uncomfortable and could have led to worse things as a woman that constitutes sexual-harassment. I believe a policy stating no fraternizing among employees and their relationships between each other must be strictly business. Also it has a report of anyone speaking in an unprofessional manner it should be addressed with zero tolerance after investigating if its found to be true that individual should be released from duty. 3. Drug Use and Abuse James is a five year supervisory security officer with World Wide Security Network, which provides contract security for a large automotive plant in the metropolitan area. Their motto is â€Å"Safety is our business. † Due to his experience, James believes a subordinate but seasoned security officer is exhibiting signs of drug use. The security officer has increased absenteeism, often seems tired and unfocused, and his work does not meet minimum security standards for the company. James has spoken to his subordinate on several occasions but his performance has not improved. World Wide Security Network does not currently test its employees for drug use. James believes his security officer is abusing drugs. Do you think his suspicions are reasonable under the circumstances? What should James do? Do you think drug testing, especially of security personnel, should be required? Explain your answer. I dont believe that the officer is exhibiting drug abuse symptoms. He could be dealing with some personal problems which is affecting his physical and mental ability to perform his duties. But never the less I think a random drug test should be administered before allegations of drugs uses is brought to light. That way the security officer would not feel like hes being singled out or made to feel like hes abusing drugs. I definitely agree with drug testing for security personnel random drug testing for security personnel at is a good way to detect drug abuse among personnel. Because these jobs are so important that it is mandatory. Because of the sensitive nature of personality and material it would be catastrophic to have a breach of security due to an officer being high.