Disciplining or terminating an employee is a difficult situation, no matter what the circumstances. However, it can also become deadly if the employee in question is unstable. Therefore, the first step is to accept that a disgruntled employee or former employee can cause harm. The second step is to protect the ones most likely targeted for retribution.
Why is the executive often the target?
Logically, the supervisor and or member of HR who carries out the discipline or termination is viewed as the likely target for a disgruntled employee. However, disgruntled employees often take issue with the individual they deem has the most power – the executive.
The executive makes final decisions
In a recent disgruntled employee shooting incident in Las Vegas, a casino employee murdered a vice president and executive director at a company picnic. Why did the employee target such high-level individuals? Because he blamed “management” for his unsatisfactory working conditions. In a workplace violence situation like this, the employee views the executive as the ultimate responsible party because all actions carried out by supervisors or human resource staff are, at minimum, approved at “the top.”
It’s easier than ever to get information about them online
Our technological world presents the most obvious reason that executives are targeted. Due to the public-facing role they play for the organization, it is easier to obtain information about them online. For example, when trying to get an executive to take a threat seriously, security staff often demonstrates the threat by showing the executive the online search results for their name.
The amount of information anyone can obtain is shocking. A simple online search often shows how easy it is to find out where someone lives, who their family members are, where their children go to school, where and when they last went on vacation. To a disgruntled employee, the executive’s life may look charmed, furthering their frustration and resentment and spurring on the need to strike out to feel better.
It’s easier to target a stranger
Another reason why disgruntled employees often target executives is psychological. It is easier to attack someone they don’t actually know than someone they’re in direct contact with throughout the workday. The subconscious mind minimizes the guilt when harm is done to an “unknown” person.
No matter the reason, when it comes to disgruntled employees, the threat to executives is real. The American attitude of “it can’t happen to me” needs to be changed to “when this happens to me” so that we can all be prepared.
Please Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
SACS Consulting & Investigative Services, Inc. provides companies with investigative and security services for any threatening situation, including employee termination, company breaches or break-ins, inability to secure the premises or building, and threats made against management or other personnel. Contact us or call 330-255-1101 to speak with one of our specialists today.