Prompt Cast
The History and Reasons Behind Workplace Shootings: Exploring the Phenomenon of "Going Postal"
TLDR This podcast episode delves into the history and reasons behind workplace shootings, particularly focusing on the phenomenon of "going postal" among postal workers. It discusses the toxic work environment, lack of autonomy, and militaristic management style at the U.S. Postal Service, which contributed to the increase in workplace shootings.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The podcast episode discusses the phenomenon of people "going postal" and explores the history and reasons behind workplace shootings.
04:53
The podcast discusses the history of workplace shootings, particularly in the context of postal workers, and how it has become a term used to name things in popular culture.
09:51
A postal worker who had been given a notice that he would be fired if he didn't improve his performance went on a shooting rampage at his workplace, killing 15 people, including himself, in one of the bloodiest mass shootings in American history.
14:42
Between 1986 and 1999, there were 15 incidents involving current or former postal workers killing co-workers, resulting in the deaths of 34 people, which led to the term "going postal" entering the cultural consciousness.
19:24
Between 1986 and 1997, there were multiple incidents of postal workers going on shooting sprees, with one particular case in 1993 involving Thomas McElvane being attributed to the toxic and hostile work environment he experienced.
25:06
Multiple cases of workplace violence involving postal employees are discussed, including instances of stalking, racism, and severe mental illness.
29:41
The U.S. Postal Service hired a commission to investigate the "going postal" phenomenon and concluded that it was a myth, despite reports of poor labor management and a toxic work environment.
34:51
Postal workers are actually at a lower risk of being killed on the job compared to taxi drivers and retail workers, but the idea of "going postal" is still a real phenomenon, according to a workplace improvement analyst who criticized the California report that claimed it was a myth.
39:27
The toxic work environment, lack of autonomy, and militaristic management style at the Postal Service, along with the pressure to turn a profit and compete with private industry, contributed to the "going postal" phenomenon.
44:06
The workplace shootings at the Postal Service increased as the economy became more liberalized and the safety net was upended, leading to a dog-eat-dog workplace environment where grievances were not properly addressed and retaliation was common.
49:05
The hosts discuss fun facts about safe cracking and share a story about a bank robber who worked at a safe company and later broke into the safes he had tampered with.
Categories:
Society & Culture
