Violence in the workplace: new perspectives in forensic mental health services in the USA

Abstract

Background: This paper reviews current research on workplace violence in the USA and offers suggestions concerning the roles that mental health professionals with forensic expertise can play in this expanding field.

Aims: To clarify the role of the mental health professional in evaluating issues related to workplace violence.

Method: Manual and computer literature searches were performed.

Results: The incidence of reported workplace violence is on the rise and can be devastating beyond the immediate injury. Forensically oriented mental health professionals can assist companies by providing pre-employment screenings, fitness-for-duty evaluations and threat assessment by using the results of current research on potentially violent individuals.

Conclusions: With the growing interest in workplace violence come many opportunities for mental health professionals to assist companies in assessment, intervention and prevention.