Crack the paperwork and keep on top of it. The people who have stabbed me have never spoken about it; they just do it. The ones who have threatened me with a knife have never stabbed me. I have three stab wounds but they were really shallow nicks. You need to study prevention techniques and be prepared. It isn’t easy.
Fair enough haven’t read all the threads. Sentiment still stands. If your working WITH/FOR someone who threatens people with knives no matter what the issues then no job is worth your potential loss of life
Loads of people are faced with the threat of violence in the course of their work. It never bothered me. In the course of work I have been stabbed three times, poisoned twice, run over three times, had 12 cars driven into, piss, ****, dogs, cats and even children thrown at me. In one month we worked out that I had called Police 16 times out of the 23 days worked and needed to go to hospital twice. Every time it kicked off, I would blame myself for getting into a situation that turned. In 20 years I saw violence go from being a rare thing to virtually the norm. Yet it never once stopped me from knocking on a door or doing my job. I probably prevented dozens of attacks, by simple body language and presence techniques. I was once locked in a 3rd floor flat, with a lad who became violent. I had made the mistake of going past him into the living room and he locked the only door, picked up what he called "his stick" and his violence exploded. The rage came from nowhere and it took me completely by surprise. I got as close to him as possible and as I remember it we sort of danced around the room, but he was smashing the furniture not me. I got to the door into the hallway and into the kitchen, with him going berserk. I managed three 9's whilst holding the door shut. Before I knew it the Police were in the flat and he was restrained. A neighbour had called them just after I went in. The whole thing had lasted less than ten minutes. I didn't have a scratch on me. I went to the Police Station and was told that he had been sectioned twice recently, but was not considered a threat. He hadn't taken his meds for a few days and that had contributed to the situation. He had told Police that I was one of the secret society who wanted to experiment on his body. You see, its not his fault, he was/is ill, how can or could I be angry? I was just glad of two things, first that I go out ok and secondly that it was me and not someone less capable. The work casual is doing, involves a certain amount of risk, but it has to be measured by two things, its reward in terms of money and its service to society.
The person I support thinks he's related to the Krays and has friends in Rampton and Broadmoor. The strange thing is he's never been aggressive towards me. He's said things behind my back to other staff about breaking my neck. I find it hilarious.
It sounds as if you are feeling / are unsupported and asked to do shifts that are impacting on your wellbeing - this more than likely due to 'commissioning' issues where the lowest quote [or near] 'wins' the contract and the employer although often willing is not set up to provide the care, not good for the 'cared' person & neither for staff / possible high turnover. Reality is this wont change and look for another job in a similar field if you are enjoying it. Without wishing to piss you off be careful of the details you share as it sounds like a case that has been in the local press, you don't know on here who knows you - possibly a sacking offence in some organisations. e.g. 'I find it hilarious' may not be seen as the best phrase either. Genuinely good luck in looking for another job
No I was a professional bastard, some say I still am. For 20 years I was a Certificated Bailiff, Warrant Officer, High Court Enforcement Agent, Private Investigator and Process Server amongst other things. I retired from Enforcement in January 2019 and now my business concentrates on Insolvency and Legal Support Services. I am a member of the Association of British Investigators. I work as a consultant to the insolvency industry and conduct valuations, sales and disposals of assets. I work with other auctioneers and am just starting a new venture. Antiques and Collectables valuations and sales.
There would be a lot of jobs vacant in that case. Anyone afraid of being threatened had better not venture out at night, go in a pub or a takeaway...
Body language and especially presence techniques, I definitely understand. Over the last few years, I've walked into quite a few violent situations that I just couldn't leave alone, all of these were on the street and had nothing at all to do with me, but I'm just not the type to keep my head down and pretend it's not happening. So, "Body Language and especially presence"... Both have their uses. Body language is about looking unfazed and confident. Presence, in my case, well I am blessed with an unusually loud shout (I probably learnt that at City games ) You know... Oi! CALM THE **** DOWN! Only once have I to defend myself. An Eastern European type bigger and roughly half my age. I came away with a beauty of a black and closed eye. People said I should report it, but I honestly wasn't sure what state the other guy was in and how do I know I wouldn't get the blame if it went to court? I'm getting older now so less fit and strong, so hopefully I'll shy away from such things. Hopefully they won't happen at all.
I really wouldn’t find it hilarious Maybe a bad choice of words from you. . All threats should be taken seriously. the worst thing is to think it’s all talk Even the ones that threaten can still carry it out. protect yourself with the paperwork and in your day to day job. outwardly be relaxed but always be aware. with those diagnosis’ that’s a very strange mix and sounds like it needs looking at professionally and a clear diagnosis be made but that’s like asking for a pay rise these days.
It’s very hard to find a job now especially dealing with the public that does not have that element of abuse. My daughter works in a Supermarket and the level of abuse the staff suffer is despicable. Abuse is an every day thing especially so in this pandemic. Fortunately there has been no actual violence but they do have security staff. For Casual my advice would be to try and seek employment you are happy in. We spend a massive amount of time working and it’s not nice to be there if you hate it. You will be much better off searching whilst in a job and know some of the things you now wish to avoid. For Kemps don’t think age will bring you calm. It’s not working for me.
I agree Chaz, if threats are being made, they should be responded to. The management must take steps such as no lone working. I am talking about short term contact. If someone tells me that they are going to knife me, in my experience they won’t do it there and then. When I have been assaulted it is always without warning.
I speak from experience. I was a trouble shooter for a certain industry. I have been attacked countless times and mostly with weapons inc bottles glasses machetes golf clubs and dogs. Had a car come through the front door and been followed home more times than I can remember. Had my front door kicked down and home attacked. I have been CS gassed three times. This isn’t counting the amount of times I have had to go down the route of fighting people. Still nothing compared to TOM. The difference tho was mine was more personal against me for the job I was doing rather than a uniform. I also completely get the presence and body language point. It is so effective. As much as I have mentioned above, there are countless times me being me has been enough for it to escalate only slightly and manageable. At the time it was worth it as I was paid a kings ransom and the perks of the job were excellent. As bad as it could be, most of the time it was brilliant and worth it. As I aged I became more in kinder to do other things. The money and perks became less attractive but the downside increased. The balanced had swung too far to the negative. The reason for this is what Casual is describing. His balance and risk to reward sounds as if it’s not correct. Unless his reward is deeply emotional rather than rational or money/life balance then I stand by what I say. If he can tolerate the negative and feels happy to continue then good luck. But you are working with someone who makes threats. Unlike TOM, some people who made threats to me did come back and tried to carry out what they threatened. You never know with someone who isn’t always in control. Interesting story TOM
Different profession tho Tom If this fella has ld it can depend how severe etc But people have an image of someone with learning diff has lovely and nice etc as most are But they can be complete bad bastards and cos of their unpredictability very very dangerous and very impulsive
I have been threated with a knife in my shop by a lad about a quarter of my age along with his gang of mates who were all shop lifting. Few weeks later I was the victim of an attempted robbery at closing time. Bloke burst in, threw a box of screws at my face and made a grab for the till. Morale of the story. There is danger in every job, even in the mundane day of a shop keeper and these days I get more pissed off if someone asks for a refund for a something they've obviously used and brought back then the hollow threats from arsey customers. This country eh ?
Like others, I've been in some 'difficult' situations involving people wielding a variety of weapons. but probably the most uncomfortable didn't involve any direct threats or even posturing. The individual just sat mumbling and making very random comments, while in a room with the walls covered in a variety of knives and weapons, and they were absentmindedly clicking the clasp on the chain that was connected to a beast of a dog that seemed intent on 'protecting' its master. It was worse, because circumstances meant that nobody knew where I was. They weren't threatening me, but I got the impression that their demeanour wouldn't have altered if they'd let the dog go or they'd stabbed me. They were just not in a position to engage on a normal level. I found they seemed calmer when I joined in and made random comments of my own, which gave me the chance to leave and make the appropriate people aware to get the person some help, and keep anyone they came into contact with safe. I did find out later that my concerns were far from unfounded.
