Handling a Threatening Situation Requires Preparation
A few weeks ago, a TSA employee made the news after he de-escalated a situation involving a woman experiencing a mental health crisis in the Indianapolis International Airport security line. Transportation Security Officer Jerald Washington noticed a passenger in the security line who was “kicking, screaming and rolling around on the floor, threatening to kill herself and others,” so he approached her and attempted to engage her while also assessing the safety risks presented by the situation.
Washington spoke calmly to the passenger in an attempt to soothe her emotions, and after a few minutes, he was able to successfully bring in backup to assist. Nobody was harmed and the security checkpoint was only closed for eight minutes. Of the experience, Washington said, “Signs of harm look different. Be vigilant by noting your surroundings and alert others early on. These practices can be vital for a positive outcome.”
One never knows when a threat of violence could occur in the workplace, which is why, on July 30, FELTG is holding the all-important event Assessing Risk and Taking Action: Threats and Violence in the Federal Workplace. It’s part of our brand-new three-day event, Managing Serious Federal Workplace Challenges in 2024 and Beyond, from July 30 – August 1.
In this month’s newsletter, we discuss proposal specificity and due process, Hatch Act and EEO issues in your home office, reasonable accommodation delays, and tips on effective depositions.
Take care,
Deborah J. Hopkins, FELTG President