Crisis Management Course: Workplace Violence and Threats (1 day)
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SasolGlencoreMSC CruisesUniversity of the Western CapeGivaudanSA Weather ServiceCity of JohannesburgUniversity of South AfricaSol Plaatje UniversityCIPC
Quick Look Course Summary:Crisis Management Course: Workplace Violence and Threats (1 day)
  • Length: 1 day(s)

  • Price (at your venue): 1 Person R 5,654 EX VAT 3 Person R 3,982 EX VAT 10 Person R 2,940 EX VAT

  • Certification Type:Non-Accredited

  • Locations & Venues: Off-site or in-house. We train in all major city centres throughout South Africa.

Also available as e-learning

Workplace Violence – self-paced online, 6 months’ access: R595 per learner (ex VAT); teams of 10 or more pay less.

Crisis Management – self-paced online, 6 months’ access: R950 per learner (ex VAT); teams of 10 or more pay less.

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Legal references in this e-learning course are US-based and may not reflect South African legislation – for South African law, choose this classroom course.

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    Crisis Management Course: Workplace Violence and Threats (1 day)

    Managers who recognise the warning signs of aggression and violence early, respond safely when a crisis happens, and have the procedures to back them up.

    Most workplace crises do not arrive without warning. Threats, bullying, a colleague under severe financial or domestic strain, an angry customer, a disciplinary outcome that lands badly – the signs are usually there, but nobody knows what they mean or what to do about them. This one-day crisis management course focuses on the people side of workplace crisis: recognising, preventing and responding to aggression, threats and violence. In practice it is workplace violence prevention training for managers, HR, security and front-desk staff.

    Delegates learn the internal and external risks an organisation faces, how threatening behaviour escalates from disruption to harm, the triggers to watch for, and the myths that stop managers acting. They practise noting and discussing concerns, reporting them through the right channels, calming a tense situation and following emergency procedures. The day closes with the policies, programmes and training that make a workplace safer, set against the employer's duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace, as general guidance and not legal advice.

    Case studies are discussed in a structured, respectful way and can be tailored to your sector – retail, healthcare, call centres, security, education or offices.

    Why this course

    For your organisation

    • Earlier intervention before threats or aggression become incidents
    • Clear reporting routes and emergency procedures that staff know
    • Managers who handle concerning behaviour consistently and fairly
    • Stronger support for your health and safety and anti-harassment obligations
    • Better support for employees affected by violence, including domestic violence

    For your delegates

    • Confidence to recognise warning signs and act on them
    • De-escalation techniques for tense situations
    • A clear sequence to follow: note, discuss, report, escalate
    • Case-study practice in a safe setting

    What delegates will be able to do

    • Identify internal and external risks that can lead to a workplace crisis
    • Recognise the forms workplace violence takes, from threats and intimidation to physical harm
    • Challenge the common myths that stop managers acting early
    • Spot concerning behaviour and the stages of escalation
    • Recognise signs that an employee may be affected by domestic violence and refer them for support
    • Identify common triggers such as discipline, dismissal, financial strain and loss
    • Respond to concerns by noting, discussing and reporting them through the right channels
    • Contribute to policies, emergency procedures and training that reduce risk

    Who should attend

    Managers, supervisors, team leaders, HR practitioners, health and safety representatives, security and front-desk staff, and anyone responsible for people in settings where aggression or threats can occur. It is especially relevant for customer-facing operations and for teams going through restructuring or disciplinary processes.

    Course outline

    Day 1 – Preventing and responding to workplace crises

    Understanding workplace crises
    • What a crisis is, and internal versus external risks
    • Aggression and violence as workplace risks
    • Forms of workplace violence: threats, damage to property, psychological and physical acts
    • Myths that stop people acting: 'it just happens', 'it is rare', 'it will sort itself out', 'it cannot be prevented'
    Escalation and warning signs
    • How situations escalate: from threats to stalking, bullying and injury
    • Concerning behaviours: disruption, emotional abuse and intimidation
    • Behaviour that causes anxiety in colleagues
    • Case study: recognising the pattern
    Triggers and vulnerable moments
    • Reprimands, disciplinary outcomes and dismissals
    • Financial strain, bereavement and perceived slights
    • The conflict curve: trigger, action point and flashpoint
    • Signs of domestic violence: disruptive calls, poor concentration, injuries and absence
    • Supporting affected employees through the EAP and referral
    Responding in the moment
    • De-escalation: tone, distance, language and exit routes
    • Knowing when to step back and call for help
    • Following emergency procedures
    • Role-play: a tense conversation
    Reporting and follow-up
    • Noting areas of concern and recording the facts
    • Discussing concerns with the employee
    • Reporting to HR, security, a tip-off line or the SAPS
    • Supporting staff after an incident: debriefing and counselling
    Strategies and policies
    • Workplace violence and harassment policies
    • Employer duties under the OHS Act and the Code of Good Practice on harassment, as general guidance and not legal advice
    • Emergency procedures and drills
    • Training employees and building a speak-up culture
    • Personal action plan and evaluation

    How it is delivered

    One day, 08:30-16:00. In person at your offices anywhere in South Africa, at a BOTI venue, or live online. One delegate or a group of up to 20; case studies tailored to your sector on request. Workbook, case studies and a concern-reporting checklist included. We deliver it at your offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and anywhere else in South Africa, at a BOTI venue in Johannesburg, or live online for teams in different places.

    Certificate: Delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance. This is a non-accredited short course; the training spend may count towards your B-BBEE skills development – check with your verification agency.

    What our clients say

    ★★★★★ 4.8 on Google from 770+ reviews · word-for-word quotes from signed letters of reference, from clients on this and/or related BOTI courses

    “The training was practical, engaging and relevant to our workplace environment, providing participants with valuable knowledge and practical skills that could be applied in their respective roles.”

    A cosmetics manufacturerHR Department · Course: Reception and Telephone Skills Training · 2026

    “All training programmes were delivered in a highly professional manner, with effective coordination and strict adherence to our scheduling requirements. The facilitators demonstrated a commendable level of expertise, and the quality of delivery consistently met our expectations.”

    A national public entity (innovation)Head: HR · Course: Customer Service Excellence · 2026

    “The facilitator was excellent and took time to ensure that the employee understood the content and was able to apply the learning in order to develop the portfolio of evidence.”

    A construction and renovations companyManager · Course: Taking charge as a Leader & Closing the Gap between Specialist and… · 2026

    Read what our clients say

    Frequently asked questions

    Can you run this course at our offices?

    Yes. Most groups are trained at the client's premises anywhere in South Africa. We can also host it at a BOTI venue or deliver it live online.

    How many people can attend?

    From one delegate to groups of about 20. The price per delegate drops as the group grows – see the price table, or ask us for a quote.

    Is it accredited?

    No – it is a non-accredited short course and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.

    Does it cover business continuity or media crisis communication?

    No. This course focuses on the people side of workplace crisis: aggression, threats and violence. If you need business continuity planning or crisis communication, talk to us about a tailored programme.

    Can the case studies be tailored to our sector?

    Yes. Tell us about the situations your staff face – angry customers, security incidents, restructuring – and the facilitator builds them into the day.

    Are sensitive topics handled with care?

    Yes. Topics such as domestic violence are covered with care, focusing on recognising signs and referring people for support. Delegates are never asked to share personal experiences.

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