10 Ways to prevent Workplace Violence

What is Workplace Violence?

Workplace violence is any type of physical or verbal aggression in a workplace setting. It can take many forms, including threats, physical assaults, harassment, and even homicide. Workplace violence can be committed by co-workers, managers, customers, or anyone else who enters the workplace. Many factors can contribute to workplace violence, including job stress, conflicts between employees, a lack of training or policies to prevent violence, and even outside factors such as domestic violence spilling over into the workplace. Employers are responsible for providing a safe work environment and taking steps to prevent and respond to workplace violence.

Examples of workplace violence can include physical assaults, verbal threats or abuse, sexual harassment or assault, bullying, stalking, and more. It can be disruptive to the workplace, impacting employee morale and productivity, and leading to serious physical and emotional harm. Workplace violence can be categorized into four different types:

• Criminal intent: Violence committed by individuals who have no legitimate relationship with the business or its employees, such as robbery or other criminal acts.
• Customer/client: Violence committed by customers or clients, such as physical assaults, harassment, or verbal abuse.
• Co-worker: Violence committed by a current or former employee, such as physical assaults, harassment, or threats.
• Personal relationship: Violence committed by someone who has a personal relationship with an employee, such as domestic violence spills over into the workplace.

 Ways to prevent Workplace Violence

Preventing workplace violence requires a multi-faceted approach, involving both proactive measures to prevent violence before it occurs, as well as reactive measures to respond to violence if it does occur. Here are some ways to prevent workplace violence:

1. Develop policies and procedures: Develop policies and procedures that outline what behaviour is acceptable in the workplace and what the consequences are for violating those policies. Make sure all employees are aware of the policies and understand their role in maintaining a safe workplace.
2. Provide training: Provide training to all employees on how to recognize and respond to workplace violence, including how to de-escalate potentially violent situations, how to report incidents of violence, and how to protect themselves in the event of an attack.
3. Create a culture of respect: Encourage a culture of respect in the workplace, where all employees feel valued and supported. Promote open communication and a zero-tolerance policy for violence or harassment.
4. Implement physical security measures: Implement physical security measures, such as security cameras, access control systems, and panic buttons to deter and respond to potential violence.
5. Conduct background checks: Conduct thorough background checks on all new employees to identify any potential red flags, such as a history of violence or criminal behaviour.
6. Respond promptly to reports of violence: Respond promptly and effectively to any reports of workplace violence, including conducting an investigation and taking appropriate action to address the situation.
7. Provide support to victims: Provide support and resources to employees who have been victims of workplace violence, such as counselling or medical treatment, and take steps to prevent retaliation against the victim.
8. Encourage employee participation: Encourage employees to participate in the development of workplace violence prevention policies and procedures, as well as in training programs and safety drills.
9. Monitor and address stress: Monitor employees for signs of stress, and provide resources and support to help them manage stress and prevent it from escalating into violence. This may include offering stress management training, employee assistance programs, or other support services.
10. Address workplace bullying: Address workplace bullying and harassment, as these behaviours can escalate into violence if left unchecked. Make it clear that bullying and harassment are not acceptable in the workplace, and take action to address any incidents that are reported.

In conclusion, workplace violence is a serious issue that can have a significant impact on the well-being of employees, as well as on the productivity and success of an organization. To prevent workplace violence, employers should take a multi-faceted approach that includes developing policies and procedures, providing training, creating a culture of respect, implementing physical security measures, conducting background checks, responding promptly to reports of violence, and providing support to victims.

It is also important to encourage employee participation, monitor and address stress, address workplace bullying, consider the physical environment, have an emergency response plan, and monitor and report threats. By taking these steps, employers can create a safe and supportive workplace that promotes the well-being of all employees and helps to prevent workplace violence from occurring.