Workplace Violence: Practical Steps to Reduce Risk

Workplace violence remains a critical issue in times of economic anxiety, widespread reductions-in-force, and rising unemployment. This program provides a focused look at the practical realities that employers face in connection with threatened or actual workplace violence. Employers – including managers and supervisors, human resource professionals, in-house counsel, and security – must be prepared to deal with the myriad of issues associated with workplace violence.

To help you deal with these issues, Holland & Knight has assembled three experienced professionals with extensive backgrounds in mental health, investigations, and the law. We will address the questions of:

• What practical steps can my employer take to minimize the risk of workplace violence?
• How should I respond to threatened violence or actual violence?
• What is a threat management team, and how can it help?
• What are my legal obligations as an individual and as a representative of the company?  

Moderator:

Naomi Katz
Partner, Holland & Knight

Ms. Katz represents private and public sector employers in all facets of labor and employment law. Her practice includes representing management in litigation pending in federal and state courts, hearings before administrative agencies and mediation and arbitration proceedings. She has extensive experience with employee claims involving sex, race, national origin, age, and disability discrimination, wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, long-term disability benefits and workers' compensation retaliation.

Presenters:

Phillip Schreiber
Partner, Holland & Knight

Mr. Schreiber has extensive experience in employment discrimination and wage and hour class and collective action litigation before federal and state administrative agencies and federal and state courts. He also is experienced in issues relating to workplace violence, drug and alcohol testing, the WARN Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and various other employment related matters. Mr. Schreiber has experience in traditional labor matters, including union elections, contract arbitration and proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board.

David Hertog
President, Hertog & Associates, Inc.

Mr. Hertog is President of Hertog & Associates, Inc., a recognized leader in private detective, background, workplace security and investigation services for over ten years. He has over 15 years of experience in assessing, investigating, mitigating, managing and protecting workplaces and individuals from threats and acts of violence. Mr. Hertog has undergone several threat assessment and management training programs, including the U.S. Treasury Department's Threat Management Training Program for law enforcement officials.

Dr. Beth Rom-Rymer

Dr. Rom-Rymer has a national consulting practice in forensics, working as a forensic expert witness in civil litigation in which there are allegations of sexual and physical abuse, harassment and other forms of violence in the workplace. She has trained police officers throughout the state of Florida on the process of conducting victim sensitive interviews of victims of violent crimes, was very much involved in raising awareness of victim issues in the local and state media, and was integrally involved with the prosecution of the Ted Bundy serial murder case. Dr. Rom-Rymer has recently been appointed co-chair of the Division 56 (Trauma) Interdivisional Task Force on Ethical Practice with Traumatized Populations in Forensic Cases.

*Parking is available in nearby lots, as well as at the Grant Park parking garage. The office is also accessible via the Blue line's Monroe stop.