Preventing school shootings is good for business

"How would a school shooting affect your employees? It's something that most employers never want to think about, but it's a horrifyingly real threat to any community-and the companies and organizations that do business there. Following the death of my youngest son, Dylan, in the 2012 Sandy Hook School shooting, I can tell you first-hand about the lasting trauma that occurs when your child is injured or killed in this type of tragedy-and how that ripples through the entire community."

"In October, we held America's Safe Schools Week, a national initiative to raise awareness about school violence and promote safety. It's also a time for companies to recognize they have a major role to play in preventing school violence-and a lot to gain by doing so. When we invest in the safety and well-being of our children, we are also investing in our workforce, and in turn, the long-term health of our businesses."

"WHY THIS MATTERS FOR CEOS Our employees don't leave their lives at the office door. Their children's safety directly impacts their focus, mental health, and productivity. A tragedy in a school can create anxiety and shake an entire company-because our companies are made up of parents, caregivers, neighbors, and friends. Taking a role in vioence prevention isn't just an act of compassion or show of goodwill and support. It's a sound business strategy that strengthens your workforce, your brand, and your reach into communities."

"KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS People intending to harm themselves or others will often exhibit a range of telling behaviors. This might include expressing threats or a plan, bragging about access to weapons, becoming socially withdrawn, or experiencing chronic social isolation, among other signals. In most mass shootings and school shootings, someone knew something was off before it happened. Often, a peer, a friend, or a parent are among the first to notice a problem. The same is true for youth suicides, which are the second-leading cause of death for child"

A school shooting creates lasting trauma for victims’ families and ripples through the entire community. Companies have a major role in preventing school violence and benefit by investing in children’s safety and well-being. Supporting children’s safety also protects the workforce and promotes long-term business health. Employees do not leave personal concerns at the office; children’s safety directly affects employee focus, mental health, and productivity. A school tragedy can create anxiety and destabilize a company because workforces are made up of parents, caregivers, neighbors, and friends. People who intend harm often show warning signs—threats, plans, boasting about weapons, social withdrawal, or chronic isolation, with peers, friends, or parents frequently noticing first.

Read at Fast Company