How to Manage Interactions with the Homeless

Do you or your utilities employees work in the field?

By the very nature of their duties, field workers sometimes interact with the homeless. Homelessness is a complex social issue that can elicit many emotions, but we recommend that field workers practice using empathy when engaging with the homeless.

When you can’t avoid interactions, follow these practices:

Don’t Judge – You have no idea what this person is dealing with or the conditions that brought them to this situation.

Be Kind – A smile or nod of recognition can set the tone for a better interaction or avoid a negative one altogether.

Remain Aware – Homeless people may interact in unexpected ways, so monitor their distance and movement.

Decline Requests for Help or Money – Decline apologetically and use a short but reasonable excuse for why you won’t comply. Examples include, “I’m sorry, I can’t right now, I have to work,” and “I’m sorry, I don’t have any cash on me today.”

Learn more about interacting with the homeless.

TPOP Offers Workplace Violence E-Learning for Multiple Industries

Would you staff benefit from comprehensive workplace violence E-Learning that can be completed in an hour or less?

Training topics include the Run, Hide, Fight methodology, situational awareness, verbal de-escalation, response to injury, and much more.

Let’s talk about your training needs today.

Non-Physical Workplace Violence

When you think of workplace violence, do you think of physical assault?

Did you know that some workplace violence can be non-physical?

Some examples of non-physical workplace violence:

• Verbal threats — Examples of verbal threats are “watch your back,” or “I know where you live.”
• Harassment — Can include unwanted attention or actions that persist, even after you have told the harassing person that their behavior makes you uncomfortable.
• Intimidation — Examples of intimidation – when a coworker sabotages your work, interferes with your ability to work properly, or corners you.
• Bullying — Can include spreading rumors, talking about coworkers in a negative way, pulling targeted pranks, or giving undeserved criticism.
• Stalking — Can be as simple as someone hanging around your workspace for no work-related reason, purposefully leaving the workplace at the same time as you, or following you home.

To learn more about workplace violence preparedness, visit our website.

Learn the Realities of Workplace Violence with TPOP’s Workplace Violence Preparedness Training

Workplace violence affects workers, clients, customers, and visitors. Provide a safer environment for all with TPOP’s workplace violence preparedness training. This training will teach you and your staff about situational awareness, verbal de-escalation, response to injury, and more.

Don’t let the risk outweigh your preparedness. Believing that it won’t happen to you or your organization can significantly reduce your ability to prevent, manage, or survive a violent situation.

Contact TPOP today to more confidently face workplace violence.

The Types of Workplace Violence

What is workplace violence?

How can workplace violence be identified?

Workplace violence is described as violence or threats of violence against workers consisting of verbal threats and abuse, physical threats or attacks, and homicide that result in injury, property damage, fear, or work impediment. There are physical and non-physical types of workplace violence.

Physical acts of workplace violence:

• Physical threats —Pounding desks, slamming doors, throwing things, and similar actions are examples of physical threats of violence.
• Attacks — Includes slapping, punching, kicking, pushing and homicide.
• Active shooter events — The deadliest type of workplace violence. The assailant will usually aim to kill as many people as possible within a short time frame.

To learn about non-physical workplace violence, visit our website.

Learn the Realities of Workplace Violence with TPOP’s Workplace Violence Preparedness Training

Workplace violence affects workers, clients, customers, and visitors. Provide a safe environment for all with TPOP’s workplace violence preparedness training. This training will teach you and your staff about situational awareness, verbal de-escalation, response to injury, and more.

Don’t let the risk outweigh your preparedness. Believing that it won’t happen to you or your organization can significantly reduce your ability to prevent, manage, or survive a violent situation.

Contact TPOP today to more confidently face workplace violence.