Following an incident of workplace violence, the HR manager’s best immediate response is to express concern and reassure the workforce (C). At the SPHR level, crisis response prioritizes employee safety, emotional well-being, and trust.

Employees affected by workplace violence may experience fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Prompt communication that acknowledges the incident, expresses empathy, and reassures employees that their safety is a priority helps stabilize the organization and reduce misinformation.

Drafting public statements (A) and reporting to shareholders (B) may be necessary later, but they are not the HR manager’s first responsibility. HR’s primary role is internal—supporting employees, coordinating with leadership, and reinforcing safety measures.

SPHR exam content stresses that effective crisis response begins with human-centered leadership, transparent communication, and visible concern for employees before external messaging or financial considerations.

References :

HRCI SPHR Exam Content Outline — Functional Area: Employee Relations and Engagement (workplace safety; crisis response).

HRCI SPHR Study Guide — HR response to workplace violence and critical incidents.