Risk Assessment of Workplace Violence

Mental health professionals are frequently called upon to assess employees whose behaviors are seen as posing threats of workplace violence. This article discusses the ethical and procedural issues involved in these evaluations. It addresses legal-ethical concerns associated with determining risk, the impact of assessment decisions on the employee's job, requirements of relevant employment law, and with communicating results to others. Since workplace risk assessment frequently involves the potential of targeted violence, the procedures are discussed within the U.S. Secret Service framework for analyzing targeted violence.