Risk Factors and Signs of 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.
The Impact of Global Events on Workplace Violence Risk
Global events can impact risk of violence. For example, when indoor mask mandates were put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic, workplace violence events against retail and food service workers increased. Reports showed that 27% of the events involved non-physical violence, 27% involved physical violence, and 41% involved BOTH physical and non-physical violence.
Workplace violence is a serious risk in many workplaces, and it can have devastating consequences. Knowing some of the risk factors of workplace violence can help employers take steps to prevent it.
Unstable or volatile workplace relationships, such as those between coworkers, supervisors and subordinates, or customers and employees can increase the risk of workplace violence.
Stressful work situations, such as those involving long hours, tight deadlines, excessive workloads, and a lack of job security can put employees at risk of workplace violence.
This includes witnessing or experiencing violence in the workplace, such as being threatened, verbally insulted, intimidated, or physically attacked by another person.
Mental Illness and Workplace Violence
Mental illness does not always correlate to workplace violence. Mental illness is much more common than people think — the National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that as many as one in five Americans experience a mental illness in a given year. However, we certainly don’t see that many workplace violence events each year. There are much stronger predictors of whether someone will become violent in the workplace than mental illness, like certain ideologies or a history of domestic violence.
Warning Signs of Workplace Violence
Workplace violence is a serious issue that can have devastating effects on employees, employers, and the organization as a whole. It is important to be aware of potential signs of workplace violence and take steps to ensure a safe environment for all members of the team.
Here are some myths to look out for:
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A fascination with violence
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An extreme interest in or obsession with weapons
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Demonstrated violence toward inanimate objects
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Verbal or written statements of intention to hurt someone
Recognize Warning signs of Workplace Violence with Employee Education
Employees should be educated on the warning signs of workplace violence, such as aggressive behavior, threats, and weapons. They should be taught to be aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to their supervisor or security personnel. By educating employees and fostering a safe workplace environment, we can help reduce the risk of workplace violence.
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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