Q: I work in a warehouse. Someone called me a filthy name so I punched him in the face. The next day, both of us were fired. In the policy manual of the company, any physical fight between two or more people results in immediate termination — regardless of who’s to blame. I find this very unfair. After all, I was only protecting myself. — Unjustly Fired

A: Many companies have the same policy — and for many reasons. First, it’s often hard to sort out who’s telling the truth in a physical brawl, especially if there are no witnesses. Second, there are great liability risks to the company and the supervisor in charge. In my many years of consulting, I think this is the best way to deter violence in the workplace. In other words, “Strike once, and you’re out.”

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Dr. George R. Abraham is a native of Vicksburg and a former longtime educator, business manager and consultant. He is an author who contributes weekly to The Vicksburg Post and hosts “The Dr. George Show” on 1490 AM at the Klondyke in Vicksburg from 9 until 10 a.m. each Tuesday. He can be reached at georgerabraham@aol.com.