HVBF Monthly Meeting - Human Resources Roundtable
Thursday, October 6, 2005, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Host:

The Graduate Center at Loyola College

Attendees:

Barbara Amos, United States Postal Service
Mary Atteberry-White, Eastern Savings Bank,
Maggie Caple, TrailBlazer Enterprises,
John Davis, High Gear Training
Carol DeGroot, Atlantic Financial Federal Credit Union
Christine Eichler , PDP Group, Inc.
Jeanette Feeley, Hilb, Rogal, Hobbs
Phyllis Grammer, TrailBlazer Enterprises
Catherine Harris, Baltimore County Dept. of Employment & Training
Skip Hearn, MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services
Ann Miller
Shannon Mott, All-Pro Placement Service Inc.
Jennifer Pipino, Ultimate Staffing
Judith Poulin, Colliers Pinkard,
James Randisi, Randisi & Associates
Bob Reagan, Lease Tracking Services, Inc.
Lisa Robinson, BreakAway Ltd.
Steve Spund, Greetings & Readings
Lawrence Trainor, Eastern Savings Bank
Christine Walters , FiveL Company
Margaret Williams, United States Postal Service
Patricia Wlodarczyk, Lee Hecht Harrison
Kellie Zysk, Ultimate Staffing

Chairperson Christine Eichler welcomed those attending and thanked Christine Walters of FiveL Company for the complimentary breakfast.

Jim Randisi of Randisi Associates invited the members of the Forum to Lunch with Drug Testing Experts on Thursday, October 27 from 11:30 am to 1:00 am at Greystone Grill-Ellicott City. Register at www.4intercept.com by October 21st. Directions at www.greystonegrill.com. (Note: this is Greystone at Ellicott City). This is a follow up to Jim’s recent presentation Background Investigations on July 7th.

Christine introduced Sgt. Randy Miller of the Baltimore County Police Department to lead our discussion on workplace violence.

Employers are charged with the responsibility of providing a safe place to work. Learning to recognize the symptoms of unusual behavior than can lead to a violent situation is important. Violence can be physical, verbal or just threatening behavior. It creates fear for one’s safety in the minds of employees.

Have a plan for dealing with the threat of violence as soon as it is recognized. Employers and key employees must be educated in discussions such as this to be aware when a situation arises. Incidents must be documented. Employers should take violations of restraining orders as a source of violence. When an employee advises you that restraining orders exist, you must be made aware when the restrained party appears at the workplace. Establish and train a workplace Violence Incident Response Team that clearly understands the action plan when an incident occurs.

The HR department should be aware of signs of problems such as loner behavior, inconsistent or declining performance and increased use of sick leave or personal leave. The interview process can reveal potential sources of violence.

Prompt notification and early intervention are critical. Early preparation is crucial.

For more information contact Sgt Randall Miller at rmiller@co.ba.md.us or call 410-931-2145. Sgt Miller and his team will come to your place of business to help you with training.