Workplace Violence
Dr. Michelle Taylor has assessed and managed thousands of workplace violence cases since 1993. Dr. Taylor is in a unique position to assess and manage workplace violence cases given her extensive training and experience in threat assessment and management and her credentials as a licensed psychologist and a licensed private investigator. She has years of experience conducting workplace evaluations, interviewing thousands of 
employees, interviewing and evaluating criminals, working with victims, and expertise in human behavior. Dr. Taylor was working as the Director of a Threat Assessment and Management Department as workplace violence was just starting to obtain National focus in the media. Dr. Taylor was among the few who worked full-time, solely devoted to the threat assessment and management of cases. Dr. Taylor has conducted and presented empirical research projects regarding workplace violence. Dr. Taylor was invited by the FBI, who hosted experts from around the world, to participate in a workplace violence symposium in order to develop guidelines and recommendations for managing workplace violence.
Dr. Taylor is called upon when an organization has concern or has received a complaint regarding potential violence. Dr. Taylor works with the organization over the telephone to establish an immediate plan to address current safety concerns. In order to reduce the likelihood of future violence, Dr. Taylor investigates and evaluates the situation to determine the likelihood that the case might escalate to violence. This typically includes the following: In-person interviews of employees, involved persons, and/or other persons who may have relevant information; Review and assessment of written documents, emails, personnel files, etc.; Evaluation regarding the possible benefit of obtaining additional information through investigation; Review of the organizations policy/employee manual; evaluation of various management options; and meetings with executives involved in managing the situation. Dr. Taylor provides a written report of her assessment and investigation including recommendations for managing the situation in order to reduce the likelihood of violence.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation published, Workplace Violence: Issues in Response stating the following:
Drawing on responses to the National Crime Victimization Survey, a Justice Department report estimated that an average of 1.7 million “violent victimizations” occurred in the workplace each year from 1993 through 1999. Estimates of the costs, from lost work time and wages, reduced productivity, medical costs, workers’ compensation payments, and legal and security expenses, are even less exact, but clearly run into many billions of dollars. Employers have a legal and ethical obligation to promote a work environment free from threats and violence and, in addition, can face economic loss as the result of violence in the form of lost work time, damaged employee morale and productivity, increased workers’ compensation payments, medical expenses, and possible lawsuits and liability costs.
Employers, employees, law enforcement agencies, unions, occupational safety and criminal justice agencies, mental health professionals, legislators, and the legal community all play a role in the prevention of workplace violence.
Dr. Taylor specializes in assessing and managing individual cases of potential workplace violence. She also receives requests to conduct workplace violence prevention trainings, participate on organizations workplace violence committees, and develop workplace violence prevention policies and procedures.
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