According to OSHA, roughly two million Americans are victims of workplace violence every year.1 And that doesn’t include the cases that go unreported. Workplace violence is a concern to employers in all industries across the country.
Types of Workplace Violence
Understanding and defining workplace violence can help to identify problematic behavior. Here are several types of workplace violence that you should be aware of to address it appropriately.
- Criminal intent: The perpetrator has no connection with the establishment and the motive is theft, i.e., a robbery or shoplifting incident that turns violent.
- Customer/client: The perpetrator is a customer or a client of the employer, and the violence occurs in the course of the worker’s normal working duties, i.e., a healthcare or social service worker.
- Worker-to-worker: The perpetrator is a current or former employee and the motive is a work-related conflict or loss, i.e., managers or supervisors.
- Domestic violence: The perpetrator is not an employee or former employee, but the partner or spouse is. Women are the most common victims in this category because the perpetrator knows where she will be during work hours.
- Ideological violence: The perpetrator is an extremist who feels justified by his or her beliefs to direct anger or frustration toward an organization (or its employees and its property) for certain ideological, religious or political reasons; i.e., an active shooter or terrorist incident.
How to Protect Against Workplace Violence
Workplace violence can touch anyone, at any time. There are no guarantees. Yet there are certain businesses that carry a heightened risk. These include retail, restaurants or other establishments that exchange cash for goods; businesses where employees work alone or during evening or night hours; and establishments in high crime areas.
Nevertheless, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your employees. Consider the following:
- Establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence against or by employees. Be sure to include an explicit workplace violence definition in your employee handbook or policy.
- Provide safety education so employees know what to do in the event of an incident and how to protect themselves.
- Secure the workplace with proper lighting and an alarm system. Equip workers with cellular phones and/or hand-held alarms.
- Address the worker’s right to refuse work in a hazardous situation. Highlight the organization’s workplace violence definition, and ensure employees understand they do not have to work if they are uncomfortable.
