Violence at Work

Many people think of violence at work to solely consist of physical attacks on a member of the workforce by a member of the public.

However, in the context of health and safety issues within the workplace, the term 'violence at work' has been broadened to encompass any kind of abusive or aggressive behaviour that might contribute in inflicting physical or psychological harm to the victim.

Categories of Violence

For risk assessment purposes, violence in the workplace can be broadly defined into 3 categories:

1. Violence committed by a person with no legitimate connection to the workplace. For example, a robber or burglar.
2. Violence committed by a client, patient, customer or similar type of person receiving services from the business.
3. Violence committed by someone who has a legitimate connection to the business. For example, delivery people, employees, employees' spouses/partners.

Common Forms of Workplace Violence

• Name calling and other verbal abuse
• Staring at a person in a menacing manner
• Shouting at a person in an intimidating fashion
• Verbally threatening to injure/kill a person (or their friends and family)
• Physically jostling, pinching, scratching, punching or kicking a person
• Hair pulling and spitting
• An attack with a weapon (be it a knife or other instrument that could be used as a weapon (e.g. a fire extinguisher)
• Setting a dog on to a person (or threatening to)
• Threatening a person with demotion or the sack if they do not hit a certain target in their role - when they have no realistic chance of achieving them
• Insisting that a person carries out an action which is against company regulations
• Threatening to get rid of an employee if they officially voice a complaint
• Graffiti about the victim and failure to remove it properly
• Comments of a sexual nature made towards a person or about a person to other colleagues
• Subjecting the person to unwanted touching
• Pressuring a person to go out on a date
• Exhibiting sexual organs or material
• Soliciting sex in return for promotion or hiring
• Sexual/indecent assault

The Effects of Violence in the Workplace

Violence harms workplace efficiency and wastes resources. It destroys staff morale, motivation and performance. It leads those worst affected to become ill and take time off sick and it can provoke others into leaving the company. Left uncontrolled, violence can ultimately force a business into shutting down.

It can cause:

• Death, injury, trauma, debilitation and incapacitation
• Lower productivity
• Damaged corporate image
• Compensation payouts
• Legal costs
• Premature pension payments
• Poor working relations
• Increased absenteeism
• Sudden resignations (and the cost associated with training replacements)
• Problems recruiting and retaining a skilled, qualified workforce
• Escalating insurance premiums

Is Protection Against Violence Adequate in Your Workplace?

You can often immediately sense whether a work environment is safe in which to work. It has a lot to do with the self-assurance, efficiency and composure demonstrated by the existing employees in their day to day conduct at work.

A positive image depends on each member of staff:

• Knowing how to recognise trouble early
• Being clear about what steps to take
• Feeling capable about taking those steps
• Feeling confident that the safety precautions will work.

Reducing the Risks of Violence at Work

It is no good solely relying on things such as security guards and CCTV cameras. Whilst they have a role to play, creating a safe environment starts at the very top of the company with clear policies which are given to all employees and which should be easily understood with no margin for misinterpretation. These policies should clearly state the accepted standard of behaviour expected by each and every staff member and what action the company will take if employees do not adhere to them.

There should be clear policies on violence, alcohol and drug use and the implications for contravening them. A successful violence prevention and management programme will be one where management state that all forms of violence and harassment outlined in their policy will not be tolerated, no matter what the reason, and will result in immediate dismissal and further legal action, if appropriate.

The Law

The Health & Safety Act and other governmental Acts of Parliament are there to protect against violence in the workplace.

It is a serious matter which, if not tackled, can result in tragedy not only for the victim but for the company itself which could even see it put out of business and the perpetrators put behind bars.