This is the second in a four-part series of SFM blogs recapping our November 2024 webinar, De-escalation in the workplace, An SFM webinar for policyholders.

The second segment of SFM’s de-escalation webinar focused on incorporating these tactics into workplace safety programs.

Carl Gruber, SFM Loss Prevention Specialist, outlined the four basic elements of creating a de-escalation training program:

• Define responsibilities
• Select a training program that suits the business
• Create the training program
• Craft goals and plan for continuing education

A strong safety program that includes de-escalation tactics can help employers retain workers and establish a safe working environment, Gruber said.

“We all know that retention of staff is a huge thing right now — not just from the time and money aspect of recruiting, but also from the aspect of getting the right person for the job,” he said. “You picked that individual for a reason. And you don’t want the reason they are leaving to be because they feel unsafe or like they don’t belong.”

Gruber also discussed selecting training programs based on the type of business, including:

• School districts
• Health care
• Other categories of employers and factors to consider (type of worksite, schedules, guests being onsite, etc.)

Check out the complete recording of webinar, and keep an eye out for future blogs highlighting other sections of the presentation.

• Part I: An introduction – Workplace violence and de-escalation