Workplace violence refers to any incident involving threats or acts of physical violence, harassment, intimidation or any other threatening disruptive behavior occurring at the workplace. It can affect and involve employees, clients, customers and visitors.[1]

 

While the word “workplace” may make us think of an office in a building, a workplace can be any location permanent or temporary where an employee performs work-related duties. A workplace can include buildings, surrounding perimeters, parking lots, field locations, clients’ homes or offices, and the commute to and from work.

 

Workplace violence can be physical and/or psychological. Physical violence is often more evident and easier to recognize and can range from slapping and pushing to sexual assault, suicide and homicide.

 

The most common form of workplace physical violence is simple assault, an attack without a weapon that results in no injuries or minor injuries requiring fewer than two days in the hospital (e.g. a black eye, scratches or cuts).[2]

 

On the other hand, psychological violence is not always easily identified and includes verbal abuse, bullying, stalking, intimidation, harassment and threats. Both types of violence can cause harm physically, mentally, spiritually, morally or socially.

Is Workplace Violence a Serious Problem?

Yes, workplace violence is a serious problem in the U.S. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that each year, about 2 million individuals are victims of workplace violence, and the number of these types of incidents is vastly underreported[3].

 

Workplace violence not only affects the health, wellbeing and dignity of employees but also poses a threat to the efficiency and success of organizations. It costs organizations billions in lost productivity, legal expenses, property damage, negative public image and security costs.

 

 

 

Workplace violence statistics:

• Workplace violence is the #3 leading cause of fatal occupational injuries.[4]
• Shootings account for 80% of workplace homicides.[5]
• The rate of workplace violence for government employees is more than three times greater than the rate for private-sector workers.[6]

 

Who are the perpetrators and victims of workplace violence?

The #1 most common characteristic of perpetrators of workplace violence

When it comes to workplace violence, the most common characteristic attackers present is an altered state of mind that can be attributed to a) a medical condition such as dementia or delirium, b) decompensated mental illness, or c) substance use or withdrawal. [7]

 

Other characteristics:

• Most perpetrators of workplace violence are strangers.
• Robbers and other assailants commit most workplace homicides (70%) followed by work associates (21%).[8]
• In about a quarter of workplace violence incidents, the offender was believed to be using drugs or alcohol.[9]
• In healthcare settings, it is patients who commit most violent acts against healthcare professionals (80%).[10]

 

Victims of Workplace Violence

Women suffer most of the non-fatal workplace violence, but men die as a result of workplace violence much more often than women. In 2016, 82% of fatal workplace violence victims were men and 18% were women.[11]

When women are killed in the workplace, it is often at the hands of a relative or domestic partner (43%). Men, on the other hand, are mostly killed by a person committing a robbery or by an unspecified assailant.[12]

Most victims of workplace violence tend to be young. In 2017, workers aged 20-34 had the highest rates violence at the workplace.[13]

 

[1] Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Workplace violence. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/

[2] Office for Victims of Crime. (2018). Workplace violence. 2018 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Resource Guide: Crime and victimization fact sheets.

[3] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (2002). OSHA factsheet. Workplace violence. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/factsheet-workplace-violence.pdf

[4] Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2018). National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. News Release. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf

[5] Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2011). Workplace violence, 1993-2009. National crime victimization survey and the census of fatal occupational injuries. Retrieved from https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/wv09.pdf

[6] Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2013). Workplace violence against government employees, 1994-2011. Retrieved from https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/wvage9411.pdf

[7] The Joint Commission. (2018). Physical and verbal violence against health care workers. Sentinel Event Alert. 59. Retrieved from https://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/SEA_59_Workplace_violence_4_13_18_FINAL.pdf

[8] Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2011). Workplace violence, 1993-2009. National crime victimization survey and the census of fatal occupational injuries. Retrieved from https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/wv09.pdf

[9] Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2011). Workplace violence, 1993-2009. National crime victimization survey and the census of fatal occupational injuries. Retrieved from https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/wv09.pdf

[10] Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2015). Workplace violence in healthcare. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3826.pdf

[11] Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2018). There were 500 workplace homicides in the United States in 2016. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2018/there-were-500-workplace-homicides-in-the-united-states-in-2016.htm

[12] Office for Victims of Crime. (2018). Workplace violence. 2018 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Resource Guide: Crime and victimization fact sheets.

[13] Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Table R60. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/case/cd_r60_2017.htm