146. Going postal: workplace violence
“Going Postal”, in slang terms has become synonymous with an anger management problem or, in real minimization over the years, a version of “flying off the handle.” The REAL story has much more grim origins. The docs cover the first such case in depth, and then discuss a long history of increasing work pressures, toxic work sites and how pushing workers to the edge can have dire consequences, as well as the government and workplace safety responses to this tragic phenomenon.
Resources
Applebome, Peter. “MAIL CARRIER KILLS 14 in POST OFFICE, THEN HIMSELF.” The New York Times, 21 Aug. 1986, www.nytimes.com/1986/08/21/us/mail-carrier-kills-14-in-post-office-then-himself.html. Accessed 28 June 2023.
General Accounting Office. “How the Postal Service Dealt with the Edmond, Oklahoma Tragedy.” United States General Accounting Office, June 1988, www.gao.gov/assets/ggd-88-78.pdf. Accessed 28 June 2023.
Gordon, Aaron . “The Legacy of “Going Postal.”” Www.vice.com, 20 Sept. 2020, www.vice.com/en/article/g5pabb/the-legacy-of-going-postal. Accessed 30 June 2023.
Martin, Gary. ““Go Postal” - the Meaning and Origin of This Phrase.” Phrasefinder, www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/159050.html. Accessed 29 June 2023.
Middis, Jessie. “The Shocking Murders Which Sparked the Phrase “Going Postal.”” Yahoo News, 10 Oct. 2021, uk.news.yahoo.com/the-tragedy-which-sparked-the-phrase-going-postal-210001287-180932795.html. Accessed 1 July 2023.
OSHA. “Workplace Violence - Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Www.osha.gov, United States Department of Labor, 2020, www.osha.gov/workplace-violence.
“Patrick Henry Sherrill | Murderpedia, the Encyclopedia of Murderers.” Murderpedia.org, murderpedia.org/male.S/s/sherrill-patrick-henry.htm. Accessed 28 June 2023.
WAVR-21 | the WAVR-21. www.wavr21.com/the-wavr-21/. Accessed 1 July 2023.