Workplace Violence Prevention
Workplace violence can be any act of violence against
persons or property, threats, intimidation, harassment, or other inappropriate,
disruptive behavior that causes fear for personal safety at the work site. Workplace violence can range from
verbal abuse to physical assaults and homicide, one of the leading causes of
job-related deaths.
Causes
of Workplace Violence
A number of
different actions in the work environment can trigger or cause workplace
violence (i.e., anger over disciplinary actions or the loss of a job, customer
dissatisfaction, etc.). Workplace violence can also be the result of
non-work-related situations such as domestic violence, "road rage,"
or hate incidents or crime (e.g., violence of intolerance and bigotry, intended
to hurt and intimidate someone because of their race, ethnicity, national
origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability). Workplace violence can be
inflicted by an abusive employee, a manager, supervisor, co-worker, customer,
family member, or even a stranger.
At-Risk
Employees
While any worker might be subject to an act of workplace
violence, some workers are at an increased risk. Among these workers are
individuals who frequently handle cash; workers who deliver or pick up people
(e.g., taxicab drivers) or deliver or pick up goods (e.g., pizza delivery
drivers); workers with late-night working hours; and workers who work alone or
in small groups. Workers at an increased risk of injury due to workplace
violence include:
: