Violence in general is terrible and should never be in the workplace. But when it happens HR is usually involved. Years ago I remember talking to a senior HR executive who had an employee come into his office and sit down. The employee calmly announced that he had just murdered his family. I have known HR managers who have flown into war torn countries to help evacuate employees, who have had to assist the children of an executive from a large multinational who had a heart attack while holidaying in Australia, counselled employees after the Melbourne CBD murders last year. 

Over the last week I have seen several articles that once again raise the issue of violence in the workplace.

• First from the US where Jing Hua Wu shot dead three executives after being let go, including the HR manager.
• Last week there were reports of punch ups at EDS after employees were let go, these have been denied by EDS management.
• Today I read that a sacked worked at EDS tried to commit suicide