An examination of strategies for preventing workplace homicides committed by perpetrators that have a prior relationship with the workplace or its employees

J Occup Environ Med. 2012 Dec;54(12):1533-8. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e31826e2928.

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether recommended robbery prevention strategies also protect against workplace homicide committed by a perpetrator who has a relationship with either the workplace or an employee (prior-relationship homicide).

Methods: A case-control study examining the relationship between recommended violence prevention strategies and prior-relationship workplace homicides in North Carolina was conducted.

Results: Workplaces located in an industrial park, employing minorities, reporting a history of violence, open night hours, or open 24 hours were more likely to experience prior-relationship homicide. Keeping entrances to the workplace locked when employees were present (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.99) and having at least one security device (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.74) decreased the odds of prior-relationship homicide.

Conclusions: Select strategies recommended to prevent robberies and subsequent violence may also afford protection against prior-relationship homicide.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Homicide / prevention & control*
  • Homicide / psychology
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Logistic Models
  • North Carolina
  • Occupational Health*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk Factors
  • Security Measures*
  • Theft / prevention & control
  • Workplace