New report underscores need to prepare for violence at work
Most organisations lack a plan for active shooter scenarios, and many aren't even trying to build one, according to a new report from the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).
The HRCI's latest report, Keeping the Workplace Safe, found that 29% of HR professionals say their organisation has no active shooter plan in place, while 31% are not taking any measures to prepare employees for such situations.
Among organisations that do provide training, 49% rated it as fair, poor, or very poor.
The findings point to a troubling gap between the risks HR professionals are witnessing and the measures organisations are taking to address them.
Four in 10 HR professionals surveyed said they have witnessed some form of aggressive or criminal behaviour at work, including shouting, direct threats, physical altercations, damage to company property, or the presence of weapons.
A separate HRCI survey, the State of HR 2026, found that 33% of HR professionals have witnessed workplace bullying, more than a quarter have seen aggressive acts (29%) or situations of imminent danger (28%), and one in five have encountered substance use on the job.
The HRCI, which is the global career partner for the HR profession, warned that such incidents are "often misunderstood" and that ignoring them carries serious consequences.
"We cannot ignore incidents like bullying or shouting because these situations can escalate into the catastrophic events we fear the most," said HRCI CEO Amy Dufrane. "Conflict should be acknowledged and addressed fully, and never be considered a routine aspect of the workplace."
While major tragedies such as workplace shootings remain exceedingly rare, the report cautioned that smaller conflicts can compound over time and escalate into more serious incidents when left unaddressed.
Effective preparation for violence
Effective preparation for mass violence at work cannot be one-size-fits-all, according to the HRCI.
"This is not a single programme or policy, nor a set-it-and-forget situation," Dufrane said.
The HRCI recommends that every organisation develop a written, site-specific action plan covering active shooter and mass violence scenarios.
Such a plan should define who initiates emergency procedures, how employees are notified, where shelter-in-place areas are located, how to account for all personnel, and how to coordinate with first responders.
A recovery plan for the aftermath of mass violence events should also be included.
Critically, the report stressed that employee training must be conducted regularly and led by professionals — not treated as a box-ticking exercise.
"As an HR community, we must continually develop and refine the ways we provide physical and psychological safety in the workplace, where employees can thrive without fear," Dufrane said.
