When employees kill other employees: the case of Joseph T. Wesbecker
Article Abstract:
The case is described of Joseph T. Wesbecker, a former employee on long-term disability leave from the Standard Gravure Company in Louisville, Kentucky. One day in September 1989, Wesbecker walked into the plant with a semiautomatic rifle and randomly opened fire on his coworkers, killing 8 and injuring another 12 individuals. The crisis ended when he shot himself. Wesbecker had been put on disability leave one year earlier because of psychiatric problems, after working for the company for 17 years. The case is analyzed in an attempt to determine if this type of violent behavior can be reliably predicted from a psychiatric patient's history and behavior. A model for predicting violent behavior, devised by Dr. John Monahan, was applied to the case and it was found that only some of the 10 predictive factors were present in Wesbecker's history. The assailant had not been violent at work before, and had used nonviolent means to handle stressful events in the past (such as filing grievances and seeking psychiatric treatment voluntarily). Wesbecker also had no police record of domestic violence. His first wife had sued him for harassment, but he had been found not guilty. He did not have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, and was stable in terms of finances and employment, having worked at one company for 17 years. However, there were some warning signs, as Wesbecker told a friend of his bizarre plots to kill his bosses and blow up the plant, and he carried a revolver to work. He worked excessively long hours and attributed the problems in his life to factors at work. It is concluded that violent acts are difficult to predict, and profiles of the typical offender often do not apply. Fortunately, violence in the workplace is rare. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1990
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Excess insured health care costs from tobacco-using employees in a large group plan
Article Abstract:
The use of tobacco has been characterized as probably the most significant preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The cost of tobacco use is borne, in large measure, by employers in terms of increased absenteeism, increased numbers of accidents and accidental fires, adverse effects on non-smoking personnel, and more costly health insurance premiums. Tobacco use is rarely a condition of employment or a question on a job application. To examine the relation between tobacco use and the cost of health care, a study group was drawn from members of a fee-for-service insurance plan. Persons who used or did not use tobacco were identified by an affidavit and a dollar discount for non-use. Of the 20,831 enrollees in the program, 4,108 persons identified themselves as tobacco users during the 11 months of the inquiry. Tobacco users had more hospital admissions, longer average hospital stays, higher average outpatient payments, and more time lost from work than those who did not smoke. Data was based on insurance records and excluded any charges made for services to dependents. Premium surcharges, reduced hirings, or worksite smoking prohibitions are suggested as means of reducing smoking-related health costs. However, this approach may impact adversely on lower income or minority employees and challenge affirmative action programs. Non-coercive methods, education, on-site and off-site free smoking cessation programs, and cash bonuses for stopping smoking may be effective and ultimately benefit all workers without imposing measures which may not withstand ethical review. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1990
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Success in basic combat training: the role of cigarette smoking
Article Abstract:
Cigarette smoking is associated with a number of major illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease. Some studies have shown that youths who smoke have higher school absenteeism and dropout rates. Also, studies have shown that young men who successfully quit smoking tend to be better educated and are more likely to be employed. These results indicate that smokers may be less successful in school or work. This study examined whether cigarette smoking and education level related to successful completion of basic combat training. Questionnaires were given to 1,426 soldiers entering basic training and 967 were completed and returned. Results showed 382 (40 percent) were smokers and 585 (60 percent) were nonsmokers. Smokers were identified as light smokers, those who smoked one half a pack or less per day, and heavy smokers, those who smoked one pack or more per day. Sixteen percent of the heavy smokers did not graduate compared with 7.7 percent of the light smokers and 8.5 percent of the nonsmokers. The percentage of heavy smokers who did not graduate was significantly greater than the other two groups. No relationship was found between education and completion of training. These results indicate that heavy smoking may decrease a soldier's ability to successfully complete basic training and thus supports the Army's position against smoking. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1991
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