The Challenge

Employers are under ever increasing pressure to provide proper care for their employees who may face a risk of physical and emotional injury from unexpected traumatic incidents in the workplace including accident, sudden death, suicide, fire or natural disaster. In addition certain categories of employee, particularly those working in a cash handling environment, may be at risk from crime related incidents such as armed robbery, burglary, hostage taking, murder and bombing.

Any disruption into the carefully regulated routine of the workplace causes varying levels of disturbance. Following a traumatic event, the level of disturbance and shock can disrupt normal work routines. Depending on the severity of the incident, employees may become disoriented, withdrawn, overly anxious, nervous and tearful. This may lead to absenteeism, a refusal to re-enter the workplace, resignation or severely reduced work performance.

Organisations face increased threats to the safety of their staff coupled with more stringent requirements imposed upon them to meet the threats.