How retailers can use threat assessment to help prevent workplace violence

The texts were intensifying in both frequency and aggression. More than 50 messages, from multiple phone numbers, had been sent to a variety of company leaders. 

“If you don’t back off this is going to become a problem.” “Keep pushing and see what happens!” “Be careful walking out after your shift. ‘Accidents’ happen in parking lots.” “You have been warned. Won’t say this again. (Explicit image included.)” 

The case was simply an example — presented during a session by Barry Berkowitz, director of asset protection with Gap Inc., and Jeremy Henderson, AVP, director, global safety and security, TJX, at NRF PROTECT 2026 — but the resonance was real. A quick Slido poll among the LP/AP leaders present showed that 78% had investigated a case involving anonymous or threatening text messages — and many still weren’t sure of the best path forward. 

At what point should they step in? How might they de-escalate rather than inflame the situation? Who helps decide? And were there red flags along the way that were missed? 

It’s a crucial conversation, and not only because threats are climbing. Workplace violence cases increasingly involve long-running threats, harassment, spillover from domestic violence, disgruntled employees and anonymous threatening messages. 

Without a clear path for assessment and action, teams can lose time in debates while fear escalates. Assaults are now the fourth-leading cause of work-related death. In 2023 – 2024, assaults brought 54,230 injuries that resulted in days away from work, and in 2024, there were 470 fatalities. Firearms were used in nearly 80% of workplace homicides. More than 40% of workplace homicides occur in public buildings, and 29% occur in retail establishments. 

After walking the audience through the scenario described above, Berkowitz and Henderson highlighted behavioral threat assessment and early intervention techniques. 

Workplace violence prevention starts with a proactive strategy

NRF’s recently released Impact of Retail Theft & Violence report showed that for many retailers, “strengthening safety measures reflects a deliberate shift toward a more proactive and preventive strategy for addressing workplace violence.” 

According to the report, those increased safety measures include management training (72%), employee training (65%) and the use of risk intelligence technologies (61%), among other proactive measures. “Preventing violence in a retail environment requires a structured approach that includes identifying, reporting, assessing and training for a wide range of possible threats,” the report states. 

As workplace violence has become a significant operational and safety issue, retailers — and LP/AP leaders — must take a holistic approach. The session presenters encouraged organizations to identify threat managers or build cross-functional threat assessment teams, with potential representation from operations, HR/associate relations, loss prevention/security, communications, legal, environmental health and safety and, when needed, external experts. 

Frank Patercity, director of advisory and risk consulting services at Control Risks, is one such expert. Patercity, a past PROTECT speaker and former police sergeant, has worked in global and corporate security for organizations such as Kroger, Wells Fargo and Trane Technologies. Control Risks often helps retailers assess a specific threat or concerning behavior case, gathering information about the person of interest or any warning signs or stressors to help establish the organization’s level of risk. 

“Warning signs can include changes in baseline behavior or nursing a profound personal grievance,” Patercity says. “That doesn’t necessarily mean someone is moving toward violence, but it does suggest that something may be affecting them and warrants a closer look. In threat assessment, it’s rarely one behavior in isolation that’s concerning. It’s the pattern of behaviors and circumstances — the sum of the parts — that helps inform risk.” 

“Can we prevent every act of targeted violence? No. But many individuals display their distress, grievances, intentions or escalation through observable behaviors long before an attack occurs. When organizations are equipped to identify, assess and manage those warning signs, they create opportunities to intervene — and potentially prevent tragedy.” 

How retailers can build an effective threat assessment program 

Threat management is still emerging for many retailers, so they don’t yet have teams or in-house experts in place. Patercity’s key suggestions include the following: 

• Every reported concern should be assessed and appropriately investigated, though not every situation requires the same level of response. Each case is unique and should be evaluated based on its specific facts, behaviors and circumstances. 

• Retailers need a mechanism in place for employees and others to report concerning behavior. There must also be a process for assessing and managing the concerns. 

• Companies without teams in place might start with existing ORC, security and/or loss prevention investigators; the key is to ensure that those assessing and managing threats are properly trained and qualified. LP/AP leaders might also look to company executives for tabletop exercises and other activities that help convey the value of threat management and foster top-down support. 

Retailers can also collaborate with other retailers, as well as explore organizations such as the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals to learn about opportunities, events and education. 

Identifying warning signs before violence occurs 

Back at the PROTECT session, attendees wrestled with the nuances of threat assessment, exploring what options might insert greater fear, anxiety or anger, and which might bring the best resolution. 

In the case study — as in real life — there may be no single right answer. Some in the session advocated for immediate termination (perhaps termed “separation” instead). Others wanted to “wait and see.” 

In some cases, Patercity says, it takes a tragedy or frightening situation for a company to work toward building more preventive measures. The times, however, demand a proactive response. 

“There are resources out there, and ways to prevent targeted violence from happening,” he says. “Companies need to have somebody who is either well-versed in this discipline, or they need to reach out and find external experts to help guide them through.  

Even something that seems small, Patercity continues, might loom large to the trained eye. The difference could be significant.