Christopher Locke, a Member of the Firm in the Corporate Services practice, in the Washington, DC, office, was quoted in an article titled "EAPs Can Help Employees in Aftermath of Workplace Trauma."
Following is an excerpt:
The mass shooting at the Washington, D.C., Navy Yard yesterday was a tragic reminder that violence can happen in the workplace. ...
Such a violent event "will have long-lasting repercussions on everyone," said Chris Locke. ...
Since most agencies already have Employee Assistance Programs, officials should "call those providers right away" to notify them of the event and actively encourage employees to contact counselors, Locke said. ...
Locke said the best way for an agency to support its employees "will very much depend on the culture and the type of organization."
Some employers may prefer group meetings, while others may want to promote one-on-one conversations, he explained.
Supplemental training on how to handle workplace shootings can also help reduce employee anxiety about returning to work, Locke explained, even if the agency has already provided similar training in the past.
That training will help employees feel like they have more control over the situation and may make them feel better about returning to work in the aftermath of traumatic event, he noted.