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Workplace violence may seem rare, but in reality, some 2 million Americans fall victim to it each year. Its impact extends beyond physical injuries, affecting emotional well-being, morale, stress, and productivity. That’s why ensuring a safe work environment is not only a moral imperative but essential for a healthy, successful workplace.
What is workplace violence?
Workplace violence includes physical threats and acts of harm directed towards individuals or companies. Violence in the workplace involves concrete actions or statements of physical harm as opposed to emotional discomfort from situations like interpersonal conflict, although that should still be taken seriously. Workplace violence is categorized into what’s known as targeted violence, which is premeditated and involves a specific target and detailed planning, and affective violence, which is impulsive and emotional, arising spontaneously from poor anger control or frustration tolerance. Within those two categories of behavior are four different identifiers that help us understand and assess the behavior, and take steps to prevent it.
Types of workplace violence
The CDC has defined four types of workplace violence.
- Criminal intent – An outsider with no legitimate relationship to the workplace, such as a non-employee or customer who intends to cause harm. One example is a person entering a business to commit a robbery or an act of vandalism.
- Customer or client-related violence – Someone who has interacted with the company harbors a grievance and targets the business or its employees. For instance, an unhappy customer threatening a service representative.
- Worker-on-worker violence – Occurs internally between employees. This can include a current employee with a grievance, a disgruntled ex-employee, or conflict between colleagues that escalates to threats or physical altercations.
- Personal relationship violence – Involves domestic situations spilling over into the workplace. This could involve a family member or spouse threatening an employee at their place of work, potentially putting others at risk.
Workplace violence risk factors
Each workplace and situation is unique, with its own set of dynamics and influences. Identifying the risk factors for workplace violence can help shape workplace violence prevention plans. However, it’s important to understand that risk factors indicate a potential for violence rather than a certainty.
Some workplace violence risk factors include:
- A history of aggressive or violent behavior, both inside and outside the workplace, including past incidents of fighting with coworkers or physical altercations
- Employees who have access to weapons, especially firearms. While this risk can be context-dependent (for example, in states with open-carry laws), bringing weapons to the workplace is a critical red flag.
- Any form of threatening behavior or communication, such as verbal threats, threatening emails, or messages. Specific threats involving plans, timeframes, and intentions to carry out violent acts are particularly concerning.
- Intimate partner violence can follow an employee into the workplace, posing a risk not only to themselves but also to their coworkers. This can manifest as either targeted, calculated actions or impulsive, affective violence.
- High levels of stress related to job loss, restructuring, layoffs, or significant changes in job roles
- Employees with a deep emotional attachment to their job or workplace who perceive a significant loss related to their job, especially sole breadwinners or those who see their job as a “dream position”
- Workers who have trouble managing their anger and frustration. This type of violence in the workplace is usually impulsive and occurs in the heat of the moment.
Certain industries are at higher risk for workplace violence due to the nature of the work. For instance, workplace violence in health care and social services is of particular concern since workers often deal with distressed people, leading to potential confrontations. A national report found that workplace violence in nursing is on the rise, with most nurses experiencing workplace violence in the last year.
Public service jobs like law enforcement and security often involve confronting dangerous individuals, while education and hospitality industries face stress-related violence due to emotionally charged interactions. Understanding these specific risks is crucial for preventing workplace violence.
Impact of workplace violence
Workplace violence can have far-reaching impacts, affecting not just the direct victims but the entire workforce.
Emotional distress
Even if employees aren’t the direct target of physical harm, witnessing or knowing about violent incidents can affect their mental health. Employees may experience acute stress reactions to workplace violence like shock, anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, and reluctance to return to work.
Feeling unsafe
Violence in the workplace can shatter employees’ sense of safety and security. Knowing that a violent incident occurred at their workplace can diminish their overall sense of well-being. This fear can permeate daily routines, making employees feel vulnerable and less motivated.
Lower productivity
Employees grappling with the aftermath of workplace violence may find it challenging to concentrate, meet deadlines, or perform well. Higher absenteeism is also common as employees may call in sick or take extended leaves of absence due to stress or fear of returning to the workplace.
Strained relationships
Colleagues may feel mistrustful or uneasy around one another in a workplace where violence occurs, disrupting team dynamics and collaboration. This tension can erode workplace morale and lead to a less cohesive and supportive work environment.
Organizational Impact
Workplace violence can fuel high turnover rates, mental health leaves, and the need for additional security measures, straining resources. Additionally, businesses may face legal repercussions if they are found to have neglected proper safety measures, resulting in lawsuits and damage to the company’s reputation.
Financial costs
Beyond the immediate emotional and psychological impacts, violence in the workplace can have significant financial consequences. These include costs associated with legal actions, increased insurance premiums, more security, and hiring and training new employees to replace those who leave.
Preventing workplace violence
Assessment processes can help you evaluate threats and determine your company’s workplace violence risk. These processes involve a team of professionals who rate the risk and decide on appropriate interventions. While you can’t control others’ actions, including the following elements in your workplace violence prevention plan can help mitigate the risk of violence in the workplace.
#1 Clear policies and procedures
Outline unacceptable behavior and the consequences of violent actions. This includes a zero-tolerance stance on workplace violence and a clear reporting system for employees.
#2 Threat assessment teams
Include members from security, HR, and mental health professionals in your workplace violence risk assessment team. Each brings a unique perspective so you can thoroughly evaluate and address risks.
#3 Open communication and reporting
Encourage team members to speak up about any behavior that makes them feel uncomfortable or threatened. Taking all reports seriously and investigating them promptly can prevent violence in the workplace from escalating.
#4 Monitoring and reassessment
Regularly reassessing situations based on new information and changing circumstances is crucial. For instance, if someone who posed a potential threat in the past has shown significant behavioral changes or received treatment, their threat level should be reassessed accordingly.
#5 Workplace violence training and education
Offer workplace violence training that helps employees recognize warning signs and understand the procedures for reporting concerns. Workplace violence training should also include conflict resolution strategies for de-escalating potentially volatile situations.
#6 Assessment tools
Assessment tools, such as the WAVR-21 (Workplace Assessment of Violence Risk) evaluates various risk factors for workplace violence, including access to firearms, emotional attachment to the workplace, substance use, and history of violence.
#7 Culture of respect and support
A workplace culture that emphasizes respect, support, and inclusivity can reduce the likelihood of violence. Encourage positive interactions and provide resources for employees who may be experiencing stress or personal difficulties.
#8 Mental health support
Offer comprehensive mental health benefits so employees can get the help they need and train managers on mental health symptoms and resources. Mental health conditions, such as paranoia or hallucinations can fuel workplace violence, which is why it’s also important to have mental health professionals on the threat assessment team.
Aftermath of workplace violence
Dealing with the aftermath of workplace violence requires immediate and thoughtful intervention to support employees and restore a sense of safety and normalcy.
Critical incident support
Critical incident support involves trained clinicians or counselors that can offer immediate intervention. They can provide group or individual sessions, allowing employees to process their experiences and connect with long-term support services.
Clear communication from leadership
Employees need to know that there are safety measures in place to prevent future incidents. Whether it’s increasing security presence, revising safety protocols, or making environmental changes, transparent communication by leadership helps reassure employees and reduces anxiety. Without clear information, employees may fill in the gaps with their own assumptions.
Mental health support
Providing workers comprehensive mental health support is vital. This can include counseling services, employee assistance programs (EAPs), or other mental health resources. Ensuring that employees have the necessary support to cope with the emotional aftermath of workplace violence can help them manage emotions and stay productive and engaged.
Build a safe and healthy workplace
Workplace violence is a hard reality, but with proper assessment, intervention, and mental health support, you can minimize its impact. Lyra offers tools and resources to help navigate these challenges and maintain a safe and resilient workplace for every employee.
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