Building a Safer Workplace – Active Threat Readiness for Employers
Every employer has two responsibilities that go far beyond profits and performance: protecting people and protecting the organization. In a world where active shooter and workplace violence incidents can unfold in minutes, hoping it “never happens here” is no longer a plan—it is a risk. Active threat readiness is now a critical part of doing business responsibly. palmettosafesolutions.com
Workplace violence does not always start with a weapon. It can begin with verbal threats, harassment, bullying, or domestic issues that spill into the workplace. The organizations that handle these situations well are the ones that plan ahead, train their teams, and create clear policies before a crisis hits.
What employers are up against
Incidents of workplace violence range from threats and intimidation to attacks that cause serious injury or loss of life. These events can involve employees, former employees, customers, or domestic partners who bring conflict to the office, plant, or job site.
Beyond the human toll, the consequences for an unprepared organization can include:
• Legal liability and lawsuits alleging negligence in training or security.
• Significant downtime, reputational damage, and loss of trust from employees and customers.
• Long-term morale issues when workers feel unsafe or unsupported.
Regulators and safety experts expect employers to address workplace violence through policies, training, and reasonable security measures, just like any other safety hazard. Ignoring the issue does not make it go away; it just increases the risk that your organization will be caught off guard.
The foundation of a workplace violence program
A safer workplace starts with a structured program, not one-off memos or generic videos. A strong workplace violence prevention and active threat readiness program usually includes four key elements.
• Clear policies and reporting procedures: Employees need to know what behaviors are unacceptable, how to report concerns, and what will happen when they do. Policy should address threats, harassment, weapons in the workplace, and domestic violence issues that may impact safety.
• Formal threat assessment process: Leadership, HR, and security should have a defined way to evaluate threats, gather information, and make decisions about next steps. This may involve law enforcement or external experts when appropriate.
• Training for all staff: Everyone—from front-line employees to executives—must understand warning signs, de-escalation basics, and what to do during an active threat using models like run, hide, fight.
• Practice through drills and tabletop exercises: Leadership teams should rehearse how they will communicate, lock down, evacuate, and coordinate with emergency responders in realistic scenarios.
When these elements are in place and reinforced consistently, they create a culture where people speak up early and know how to respond if things escalate.
Turning fear into confidence with training
Many organizations avoid serious conversations about active shooters because they worry about “scaring people.” In reality, the opposite often happens when training is done well: employees feel safer because they finally have a plan. palmettosafesolutions
Quality active shooter response training teaches employees:
• How to quickly recognize the sound and signs of an active threat. When to run, when to hide, and what fighting back might look like in an office, warehouse, or retail environment.[thompson-safety]
• How to communicate during an incident and what to expect when law enforcement arrives.
When this training is combined with Stop the Bleed or other medical skills instruction, staff also learn how to control severe bleeding and stabilize victims in the crucial minutes before EMS arrives. That combination of threat response and medical skills can dramatically improve survival rates during a critical event. Stopthebleedtraining
Leadership’s role before, during, and after an incident
Leadership sets the tone. If executives and managers dismiss concerns, skip training, or fail to model the right behaviors, the entire program weakens. On the other hand, when leaders visibly support safety initiatives and participate in drills, employees take them seriously.
Before an incident:
• Leadership must approve clear policies, allocate budget, and ensure staff are trained.
• Managers should actively encourage reporting and respond quickly when red flags appear.
During an incident:
• Leaders and designated safety coordinators must focus on communication, accountability of personnel, and cooperation with responders.
After an incident:
• Companies should support affected employees with counseling, transparent communication, and a thorough review of what worked and what needs improvement.[cpps]
A strong response from leadership at every stage can preserve trust, stabilize operations, and help people heal.
How Palmetto Safe Solutions supports safer workplaces
Palmetto Safe Solutions delivers in-person active shooter response training and risk assessments for businesses across South Carolina and the region. Programs are tailored to your facility layout, workforce, and risk profile, not just generic corporate templates. palmettosafesolutions
Services for employers can include:
• On-site active shooter and workplace violence training using run, hide, fight and situational awareness principles.
• Level 2 and Level 3 programs that integrate Stop the Bleed, realistic drills, and security assessments to uncover vulnerabilities in doors, access control, and policies.
If your organization has not yet formalized a workplace violence program or conducted recent training, now is the ideal time to start. A proactive investment in preparedness today can protect your people and your business when every second counts.