Personal Safety Rules Apply at Work

By Lee Mozena, EXL Mediation Founder & Owner

The Seattle Police Department offers monthly, free 'Women's Personal Safety Classes. I recently joined one, where the hosts recommended  a classic- The Gift of Fear, by Gavin de Becker.  

This world-renowned security specialist's message originally focused more on domestic violence. But it hasn't changed over time: always trust your intuition when it comes to danger. That weird feeling is a gift from your body. And it's rarely wrong. 

Safety is a life-long challenge for women. We're at greater risk of physical harm, and are socialized to dismiss warning signs in the name of "niceness". 

But what if you work in an industry where "the customer is always right"?  Essential workers are reporting a rise in  verbal abuse and attacks. Whether this is related to pandemic stress or not, employers and staff must work together to create a safe environment for all.


It's tempting to ignore warning signs rather than risk a potentially embarrassing or job-ending wrong call. It's easy to turn off your danger radar when surrounded by trusted co-workers. 

Employers and staff can get started with the basic concepts at Good Reads' Gift of Fear Quotes pdf, or ask about our on-site and virtual training and coaching services.