Workplace violence couldn’t happen at your organization … or could it?

Workplace violence can strike anywhere, any time. It doesn’t matter if your company is a small mom-and-pop business or a large corporation. It doesn’t matter if you’re in middle America or on the East or West coast. And it doesn’t matter what type of business you work for.

In these times of turbulence and unrest, safety and security issues “on the home front” and in the workplace are more critical than ever before. Terrorist threats, mass corporate layoffs, a depressed economy, and political upheaval are all real factors contributing to stress and emotional anguish in the workplace.

As people feel pushed to the breaking point, workplace violence becomes more of a reality. Employees need procedures and policies in place to follow in case of an emergency, and — just as important — the training and confidence to put those policies into action should the need arise.

As a front desk professional, you are the first line of defense against security breaches, safety concerns, and volatile situations.

Your role as a front desk professional requires you to wear a variety of “hats” during your work day — among them gatekeeper, communications expert, phone whiz, mediator, troubleshooter, and secretary. As the first person vendors, visitors, and delivery people have contact with, you are the eyes and ears of your organization. It is up to you to spot potential troublemakers, identify red flag behaviors, prevent breaches of security, and act with confidence and authority when situations threaten to get out of hand.

In this powerful, eye-opening workshop, you’ll discover a variety of tools, techniques, and strategies for securing your front desk area and staying calm and in control when faced with emergency situations. We’ll also cover preparation and prevention techniques for natural disasters, theft, property damage, and other crimes, offer tips for identifying potentially violent or unbalanced individuals, cover building and facility safety measures, and reveal ways to shore up weaknesses in procedures that may leave your organization and employees vulnerable to outside influences.

Key learning points:

	How to assess your front desk area and eliminate potential security breaches, dangerous situations, and safety hazards
	The best ways to respond when emergency strikes (both natural disasters and human threats)
	“An ounce of prevention” … how to ensure emergency policies and procedures are up to par with law enforcement recommendations
	Dialing 911 — What to do if you are suddenly required to make that call
	Techniques for defusing escalating tempers, handling emotional outbursts, and dealing with unreasonable demands
	How to stay on top of visitors, packages, phones, and e-mail, when everyone is pulling you in different directions simultaneously
	How to spot the warning signs for people who may pose a threat to you, your organization, or its employees

Who will benefit the most:

	Front desk professionals
	Receptionists
	Office assistants
	Secretaries
	Facility managers
	Security personnel

Program Agenda

Violence and safety in the workplace today

	The truth about violence in the workplace today: what constitutes workplace violence, who is at risk, why it’s getting worse
	How vulnerable is your organization?
	How to identify and eliminate gaps in the security of your front desk area
	Insights and advice from OSHA on creating a safe work environment
	How to create an emergency procedures manual if your organization doesn’t have one already
	How to design and implement an emergency action plan everyone can follow

No-nonsense management of your front desk and lobby area

	What is your role as front desk “gatekeeper”? What are your responsibilities regarding safety and security measures? What can you be held accountable for?
	How to use information-gathering and strategic planning to keep one step ahead of emergency situations
	Emergency response strategies to get help fast when you need it
	How to gather information and act as a point of contact during employee disaster drills
	Tips for managing the flow of visitors, vendors, and customers who come through your doors
	Designing a check-in and check-out log
	How to ensure that restricted areas remain that way
	Ways to enforce visitor identification and escort requirements
	The best ways to handle cold-call vendors
	Strategies for managing multiple distractions and people