Complete Guide: Suspicious Behavior in the Workplace – Prevention and Risk Management 2024

How can you identify and manage suspicious behavior in the workplace?

🚨 How can you recognize suspicious behavior at work?

Alarming physical signs of suspicious behavior

Suspicious behavior can manifest itself in a number of physical signs:

• Unusual agitation and unexplained sudden movements
• An unstable or erratic gait
• A fleeting or fixed gaze that avoids eye contact
• The “knife-edge” body position (strong arm hidden)
• Excessive sweating for no apparent reason
• Intrusion into unauthorized areas of the company
• Wearing inappropriate clothing that may conceal objects

Social behavioral indicators of concern

Suspicious behavior also includes social signs:

• Sudden and disturbing personality changes
• The appearance of verbal or physical aggression
• Unusual social isolation at work
• The expression of incoherent or confused statements
• The repetition of words
• Disproportionate emotional reactions
• Repeated failure to respect interpersonal distances

🛡️ What to do about suspicious behavior

Immediate action in the event of direct contact

1. How to stay calm in a crisis
2. Techniques for maintaining a safe distance
3. Neutral body position with hands visible
4. Soothing communication with a calm, clear voice
5. Avoidance of sudden triggering movements
6. The importance of safe eye contact

Procedure for witnesses of suspicious behavior

1. How to discreetly alert the hierarchy
2. Incident documentation guide (time, place, behavior)
3. Secure remote observation techniques
4. Informing colleagues without panicking
5. Emergency evacuation preparation

Alert protocol

Make a card for yourself and your colleagues.

Priority emergency contacts

1. Line manager’s number: [To be completed].
2. Security guard contact: [To be completed]
3. Safety manager direct line: [To be completed].
4. Police emergency: 17 (imminent danger)

Essential information to pass on

• Guide to precise identification of place and person
• Detailed description of suspicious behavior observed
• Exact number of people involved
• Complete physical description of individuals
• Trajectory and movements
• Inventory of potential suspect objects

🔒 Protective measures against suspicious behavior

Personal protection at work

• Procedure for locking the workstation
• Securing confidential documents
• Secure personal effects management
• Strategic location of emergency exits (or a safe room)
• Permanent telephone access
• Bring water and a potty if you have to stay indoors.

Collective safety in the workplace

• Colleague information protocol
• Access closure procedure
• Secure grouping organization
• Emergency evacuation plan
• Protecting visitors and customers
• Workspace organization (to avoid “getting stuck”)
• Grey dot (if you park there, your colleagues know you have a problem)

Post-incident management of suspicious behavior

Essential post-incident actions

1. Incident report writing guide
2. HR and management information processes
3. Organization of group debriefing
4. Psychological support available
5. Suggestions for preventive improvements

Complete incident documentation

• Detailed chronology of suspicious events
• In-depth description of behaviors
• Inventory of actions taken
• List of people involved
• Analysis of observed consequences

Basic safety instructions

• Absolute priority to personal safety
• Avoidance of heroic behavior
• The importance of dialogue in de-escalation
• Strict compliance with established procedures
• The need for written documentation