In today’s workforce, ensuring employee safety is no longer optional—it’s both a legal and moral responsibility. Workplace violence training is essential for organizations across all industries to proactively address the growing threat of violence in the workplace—from verbal harassment to active shooter incidents. Training your team is not only about compliance—it’s about saving lives.
Understanding Workplace Violence
Workplace violence includes any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior. These incidents may be caused by employee stress, mental health challenges, domestic abuse, or external threats entering the workplace. Regardless of the source, the impacts are serious: decreased morale, absenteeism, and in extreme cases, injury or loss of life.
Employers in California face increased urgency due to Senate Bill 553 (SB 553), which mandates a workplace violence prevention plan. SB 553 requires employers to assess risk, implement prevention measures, and provide ongoing workplace violence training to their employees. Non-compliance can result in significant financial and legal penalties.
Surviving a Workplace Violence Incident: Run, Hide, Fight
When confronted with an active threat, employees must act quickly. The Run, Hide, Fight model is a proven method to increase the chance of survival:
- Run – If a safe escape route exists, take it. Leave belongings behind and help others if you can.
- Hide – If escape isn’t possible, find a secure hiding place. Lock doors, silence phones, and stay out of sight.
- Fight – As a last resort, use available objects to incapacitate the attacker. Group action is often more effective.
This approach is an essential part of any comprehensive active shooter training.
Active Shooter Training: Preparedness Saves Lives
Active shooter events are unpredictable and often over within minutes. Proper preparation can significantly reduce harm. Compliance Training Group offers Active Shooter Training as a specialized form of workplace violence training. Topics covered include:
- Recognizing early warning signs of potential violence
- Working effectively with security teams and law enforcement
- Crisis communication and lockdown procedures
- Mental health support and post-incident recovery
While general workplace violence training covers broad risk management, active shooter drills emphasize situational awareness, rapid decision-making, and safety under extreme pressure.
Nationwide and California-Focused Solutions
Compliance Training Group offers workplace violence training and active shooter response training nationwide, with customized options for California businesses to ensure SB 553 compliance. Our expert instructors provide real-world strategies and practical skills to help teams prepare, respond, and recover.
Secure Your Workplace Today
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact Compliance Training Group today to schedule workplace violence training for your organization. Preparedness saves lives.
Violence in the Workplace Training FAQ
Industries with public-facing roles—such as healthcare, education, retail, and government—face a higher risk, but any workplace can be vulnerable.
SB 553 requires California employers to develop and implement a workplace violence prevention plan, conduct regular assessments, and provide training. Failure to do so may result in fines and increased liability.
At minimum, training should occur annually. However, high-risk workplaces may benefit from more frequent sessions or specialized refreshers like harassment prevention training.
Report concerns immediately to HR or workplace security. Early intervention through counseling, mediation, or support can often defuse a situation before it escalates.
Even with strong security, employees need to understand how to react quickly. Active shooter training empowers staff to make split-second decisions that could save lives.
Compliance Training Group offers expert-led programs designed to address these long-term benefits, helping organizations create a more effective conflict resolution framework.
