It is unfortunate when threats in the workplace result in employees being intimidated, traumatized, stressed, or fearful. It is unacceptable when employers fail to act in a timely and effective way to help victims. Threats are too common and potentially too volatile for employers to fail to recognize, understand, and respond decisively. Threats provide employers with warning signs, thereby giving them opportunities to resolve workplace conflict before it escalates to violence. Employers who respond promptly and effectively can control, minimize, or prevent further harm from threatening situations. This article focuses on the purpose behind the use of threats at work, discusses threats as warning signs of problematic and potentially violent behavior, and concludes with suggestions for effective responses to and the prevention of threatening situations. Appendix, 82 notes