Defining Workplace Violence
Workplace violence is an increasingly serious problem in today's society. This chapter will provide an overview of what constitutes workplace violence, the effects it can have on an organization, and potential solutions to help prevent it.
Where can Workplace Violence Occur?
Workplace violence can occur in any work environment, ranging from offices, retail stores, restaurants, healthcare settings, warehouses, factories, schools and other places of employment. It can be physical, psychological, or emotional violence, and can occur between coworkers, customers, supervisors, managers, or other stakeholders.
Workplace violence is any act of violence or threatened violence that occurs in the workplace. It can range from physical and verbal aggression to non-physical threats and intimidation. These four types represent a general division of the types of violence that may occur in the workplace.
This is committed by people from outside the organization who have a personal relationship with an employee who works there. For example, a man enters his ex-girlfriend's place of work and commits an act of violence toward her.
Worker-to-worker workplace violence is any physical or psychological harm caused by one employee to another in the workplace. This includes physical assaults, verbal or written threats, psychological abuse, bullying, and other forms of intimidating behavior.
This happens when a customer or client becomes violent in response to some perceived insult. For example, a patient whose credit card was declined screams at the clinic receptionist.
This occurs when the violence is a product of another crime. For example, someone robs a retail store and inflicts injury on staff and patrons due to the robbery.
Impacts of Workplace Violence on Employees
Workplace violence has many impacts on employees. The first and most obvious impacts include bodily injury and even death. But the impacts go beyond just the physical.
Here are some myths to look out for:
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Decreased job satisfaction
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Loss of morale
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Increased stress levels
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Decreased productivity
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Higher absenteeism
Help Protect Employees with Workplace Violence Prevention Training
Workplace violence prevention training is an important part of keeping employees safe in the workplace. It teaches staff how to recognize and avoid dangerous situations, how to respond if a violent incident does occur, and how to create a safe and secure workplace environment. With this kind of training, employees can learn how to identify potential risks, avoid them, and take action if they do happen.
Helping over 8,000 organizations create a safer, more productive workplace
EasyLlama’s online training course helps employees navigate best practices for preventing workplace violence. This course provides an in-depth examination for how to help prevent workplace violence through reporting, de-escalation methods, and more. The course covers:
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