Negligent hiring: The emerging contributor to workplace violence in the public sector

In this era when workplaces have become "battle zones," negligent hiring is emerging as a contributing source of employer liability for violence. Publ ic employers have been found liable for violent acts of employees both with in and outside their normal scope of employment. The authors analyze neglig ent hiring doctrine from a human resource management perspective, consideri ng what the U.S. courts are saying and how employer liability can occur. Pu blic employers can develop sound background-checking policies and practices that could both reduce workplace violence and minimize resultant negligent hiring lawsuits.