Loose Cannon Employees Cause for Concern

The news this week about employees making dramatic departures - including the JetBlue flight attendant who made his final departure via an emergency slide after addressing passengers and the Connecticut employee who went on a shooting rampage after being fired - raises many questions for employers regarding their legal obligations when "loose cannon" employees create disruption in the workplace. "It is important for employers to consistently take appropriate pre-hiring actions, such as conducting background checks and drug tests, to ensure they are not hiring someone who is already near the brink," says Randi W. Kochman, a member (partner) at Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard, P.A. (Hackensack, N.J.). However, predicting when someone may snap is not always possible. "To that end, it is necessary for employers to establish appropriate workplace violence plans and policies, including a zero tolerance policy for violence, should issues like these we've seen in the news over the last few days arise," she adds. "Workplace violence training can assist supervisors in detecting the warning signs of employee violence. Any instance or sign of violence should be grounds for immediate termination." Ms. Kochman is available to discuss steps employers can take to prevent violence in the workplace. [08/10/2010]