BUSINESS SECURITY

Workplace Hostage Situations

Generally people don't like to think about the bad things that can happen to them. Unfortunately, hostage situations in the workplace have become far too commonplace. We can't afford not to think about them.

If you found yourself in a hostage situation would you know what to do? Unfortunately, hostage situations are becoming far too commonplace. The most likely hostage takers that the average person might be exposed to are: criminals, emotionally disturbed individuals, angry domestic partners, and disgruntled employees.

The most obvious threat to employees in their workplace is from disgruntled employees. It doesn't matter if the worker has a valid complaint or not-he thinks he does, and that's all that counts. He believes justice is on his side. Arguing about rights and wrongs isn't a wise thing to do with this dangerous kind of hostage taker.

Emotionally disturbed individuals are also very dangerous. Often these people have a death wish and want to take as many with them as they can, especially if a boss, fellow worker, or spouse is perceived to be at the heart of the problem.

Criminals are the most common hostage takers and are a threat to banks or retail businesses such as convenience stores, liquor stores, fast food restaurants, and gas stations. These types of businesses offer the most opportunity for robbers. If the robbery goes bad and the police show up, the criminal is likely to take a hostage as a way of obtaining a chance for a getaway.

If you're ever so unfortunate to find yourself in the middle of a hostage situation, you'll need to be aware of the specific emotions and feelings you're liable to have at different times during the incident and how to react.

When the incident begins, regardless of the type of hostage situation, the first emotion you are likely to feel is utter disbelief and denial. This couldn't be happening to me! you'll think. You may be convinced that you're in no danger. This defense is common but denial does fade and the hostage will soon face the danger to his life. Often a hostage will feel so powerless, shocked, and frightened that a temporary paralysis sets in. Escape attempts at this point will not likely be successful. The time for an early escape may only last the first ten seconds of the incident, before the hostage takers are completely in control and while a high state of confusion exists. Once the incident is firmly underway, the likelihood of a fatal hesitation is too great. Do NOT attempt to escape after this point.

At the start of a hostage incident, the hostage taker is at his most dangerous state of mind. He too is frightened-afraid of the consequences of failure, afraid of being hurt or dying, afraid of losing his freedom, and afraid of losing control. His nerves are on a hair trigger. You may scratch an itch and find yourself getting shot for your movement, which he interpreted as threatening. Keep your eyes averted. Do not challenge him nor argue or question his commands in any way at this point.

Regression to one's childhood in a hostage situation is common and sets the stage for another phenomenon known as the "Stockholm syndrome." The syndrome has three components:

• Positive feelings on the part of the hostage toward the hostage taker.
• Negative feelings on the part of the hostage toward the authorities and rescuers.
• Positive feelings on the part of the hostage takers toward the hostages.

The regression to childhood feelings and actions by the hostage to the hostage taker sets up a striking similarity between the relationship of the hostage taker and that between an abused child and an abusive parent. The child clings to the abusive parent just as the hostage clings to the hostage taker. The abused child and the hostage with the Stockholm syndrome are strikingly similar in that both are loyal to the "parent" out of fear. Both feel threatened by intervening authorities and have a tendency to defend a cruel "parent". The gun of the hostage taker becomes the instrument that demands loyalty. It is not uncommon for hostages to become more afraid of the police than they are of the abductors.

If you find yourself straining to "understand" your captor's viewpoint and striving to agree with it, you are experiencing Stockholm syndrome. Be aware of its development, because you can expect the hostage taker to possibly reciprocate. There's a feeling of "we're all in this together." It is not unusual to see the beginnings of this phenomenon after the first hour or so.

In your anxiety, you may find yourself angered by any actions made by your fellow hostages that may disturb your captor. This is valid from the perspective that you don't want the boat rocked if it is going to endanger your safety. Also, it's easier and safer to transfer your anger at being held onto a fellow hostage than it is to express anger toward your captor.

You should first and foremost assume that your abductors won't release you and you cannot escape. A second assumption should be that once your location is known, a rescue attempt will be made. Based on these initial assumptions, certain passive measures should be taken. The first of these is to make it a point to always sit or lie down when in your captors' presence, unless they don't allow you to do so. You should also try to keep as far away from them as possible. These actions alone could save your life during a rescue attempt by keeping you out of the line of fire between the captors and the rescue force.

Another passive measure that you should attempt is to maintain a cordial and respectful relationship with your captors. The establishment of a human bond between hostage and captor may deter the captor from executing the hostage when he realizes a rescue is taking place. It is much harder to murder someone with whom a friendly bond has been developed than it is to murder someone who argues and is defiant. Showing pictures of your family if the hostage taker allows movement may help coax the abductor to see you as a fellow human as opposed to a faceless victim. You'll want to keep the incident as human as possible. It's harder for a hostage taker to kill or harm someone with whom they have started to identify.

Planning active measures to take during a rescue attempt is extremely important. The first action a hostage should take upon realizing that a rescue attempt has commenced is to immediately lie face down and attempt to remain motionless and silent. You should not try to physically or verbally make contact with the rescue force. Any such attempt could result in your being mistaken for a resisting captor and getting shot.

There may come a time during your captivity when you might consider using violence to make your escape. If you are not well trained, if the timing is wrong, if you are not committed to following through on your actions, you may get injured or killed, or you may cause others to be hurt or killed.

You must consider these and many other aspects before you attempt physical violence! If there is the slightest chance of hesitation or fumbling on your part, you may be better off not trying anything! If the captors are Middle Eastern, however, go for it. They're going to kill you anyway.

As a general rule a victim should remain passive and avoid eye contact with the assailants thus living to fight another day. No one admires dead heroes or bumblers who cause injury or death to themselves or other victims. And as a final passive measure always be alert for signals that a rescue attempt is about to take place.

The most important thing you can do in anticipation of release is to constantly observe your captors and their activities and habit patterns. Memorize everything you can about them, so that you can pass on as much usable information to the negotiating authorities as possible.

Hostage situations are a grim fact of life today. The future promises that they will become even more commonplace. Think through the possibility and prepare yourself, your employees, and your family!