Behavioral Threat Analysis: Understanding Employee Behavior

By Tayte Domine

^{Tayte Domine is a summer intern here at Verensics. She is going into her senior year at Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University majoring in Global Security and Intelligence Studies with a focus on Pre Law and Law Enforcement.}

Patrick Sherrill, a United States Postal employee killed 14 people and wounded six on August 20, 1986. Where did this violent act come from and what were the warning signs? What led him to go this far? Sherrill was thought of as a disgruntled worker, he constantly blamed management for any problems he had, and he had been previously reprimanded. Sherrill reacted to his employers’ disciplinary actions by threatening his revenge. In addition to these behavioral issues, he was also a loner and appeared to have an unhealthy obsession with guns.
This specific case is almost forty years old, yet these kinds of violent acts are still frequently occurring. So why has there been no change or advancement in how we prevent workplace violence? In order to prevent or stop disruptive workplace behavior, you have to understand why it is occurring in the first place.

Now, causing chaos at work is not always as extreme as becoming a mass murderer. It can be something as simple as shouting. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says there is usually a build-up before someone commits an act of violence, just like with Sherrill. This is where behavioral threat analysis comes in, it can help employers identify the smaller warning signs before they turn into a major event.

So what is behavioral threat analysis and how can it help you? Behavioral threat analysis is really just a tool that allows you to analyze behaviors in order to identify a potential threat. If an employer, manager, coworker, or outside agency can identify potential threats, there is then an opportunity to prevent an event from occurring. There are four essential steps to take in the behavioral threat analysis process; identify, inquire, assess and analyze, and manage. First, you need to figure out who has been acting a little differently or shows warning signs. You can do this by simply pay attention. Once you have found that employee displaying warning signs, you dig deeper. You can do this by chatting with coworkers, gathering information, or having a conversation with the person. Once you have all the information, you make your assessment.
What do these behaviors mean and where may they lead? Then, after you answer that you figure out how to manage it. What level threat do they pose and what would be the best way of dealing with it?

Now what kind of behaviors should make you sit up and take notice? Anything from constant complaining, to treating others without respect, to yelling, coming into work angry, having no sense of pride for their company, having no boundaries, or even participating in the destruction of property. Employees are allowed to have bad days, it is when they continue to act out that you should be concerned. If an employee has frequently shown multiple signs of disruptive behavior, they may become a threat in the future.

Employees may act out at work for a number of reasons. They may be having financial difficulties, marital issues, illness, problems at work, or overall are just unhappy with the state of their life. It is important for employers and coworkers to understand this behavior so they may prevent a threat from occurring. An employer needs to be aware of the difference between one bad day and having a poor overall attitude. Employees have bad days all the time, but it is when that becomes repetitive that a problem may develop.

According to the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center, it’s all about spotting red flags, sizing up iffy behavior, and figuring out the right moves to sidestep violence down the road. To analyze behavior, you need to keep your eyes and ears open at the workplace. Get to know your team so you can spot when something is off. If you identify a problem in your workplace, don’t hesitate to act before it is too late. You may need to interview coworkers;
employees make observations at work that could impact your organization’s ability to not only spot and understand an incident but also potentially prevent a violent act from occurring.
Be sure to involve the proper people and take the necessary steps to contain the threat. And remember, being attentive and caring to your employees is always important but it is especially important when understanding and evaluating their behaviors. This could make the difference in your workplace or with an employee.

Remember, creating and sustaining a safe work environment starts with understanding behaviors. The FBI states that paying attention to individuals is crucial. Behavioral threat analysis helps us figure out what they might do next so we can take action to prevent any potential harm. So make sure you pay attention, know what to look for, and use behavioral threat analysis when needed to keep things in check.