Violence in the workplace remains a necessary topic of focus for organization and business leaders.

Prevention initiatives such as training and outreach are needed now more than ever. Find out who is most at risk for workplace violence, how workplace violence training works and other prevention methods which are applicable to countless businesses and industries.

Violence in the Workplace: What is It?

Violence in the workplace may be defined as an act or threat of physical violence, intimidation, harassment, or disruptive behaviour that occurs at the site of a workplace. This can vary from physical assaults to verbal abuse. A staggering statistic reveals that in America, nearly 2 million workers report being victims of violence in the workplace each year.

Types of Violence in the Workplace

There are four main types of workplace violence. These include:

Criminal intent (robbery, break-in by someone not related to the business)
Violence experienced from customers or clients
Violence experienced by worker-on-worker disputes
Personal relationship

Who Experiences Violence in the Workplace?

There is never a situation that is 100% free of risk. Plainly put, anyone can experience some form of violence in the workplace, which puts business leaders in the spotlight to reduce this risk. The need for prevention training is extremely important today for any industry or business.

Not everyone is equally likely to experience violence in the workplace, as certain occupations carry more or less risk based on certain parameters.

Occupations that face higher risks of workplace violence include:

Healthcare professionals
Law enforcement and security personnel
Customer service and public service workers
Delivery drivers
Working alone or in small groups: those in manufacturing or heavy industries fall here – a spread out site with separated small teams can pose a risk.
Those who handle and exchange money from/with the public

Violence in the Workplace is More Likely When:

Working with unstable individuals

CBC news from Canada recently reported that between 2017-2020, construction workers made up 1 in 13 opioid-related deaths in Ontario. This raises awareness about the fact that certain workplace cultures can indirectly stigmatize those that are struggling, especially when no support programs exist. This can induce further additions and create an unsafe work environment. Prevention programs can help create a space for people to seek help and learn about proper self-care while helping to reduce the risk to their colleagues. This perpetuates a culture of self-awareness and accountability.
Prevention training should include tips on how to identify signs of distress (not appearing sober, sudden changes in mood, unusual complaints, faulty decision-making, confusion etc.) that may lead to an incident of violence in the workplace.
These instances are by no means unique to Ontario or Canada, and can occur anywhere.

The worksite is in an area of high crime

Workers may be exposed to violence due to the area they are located in. Whether it’s construction workers, or healthcare workers visiting patients in underserved areas, a worksite located in an area of high crime makes violence more likely.

Other factors

Working at late hours of the night, providing services and care, the worksite serves alcohol, and where money is exchanged with the public.

These serve as examples of occupations that typically face higher risks of workplace violence and are based on statistical analyses. This is not to say that all jobs that occur at night are unsafe, or that every situation where money is exchanged with the public will result in violence.

In general, occupations that interact with the public, operate after dark and serve alcohol are those that experience most violence in the workplace. Any job or situation can result in an unpredictable and potentially dangerous outcome, which is why prevention of violence in the workplace should not be taken lightly.

Beyond Occupation: Gender-Based Violence in the Workplace

Gender-based violence occurs in workplaces globally. Though not limited to a gender, women disproportionately experience more gender-based violence than men. This includes:

Physical and verbal abuse and bullying

Sexual harassment: the most common form of gender-based violence in the workplace which includes unwelcome or offensive conduct of a sexual nature such as unwanted sexual advances. These traumatizing experiences need to be abolished from workplaces through the long-term investment in preventative measures

Sexual abuse and violence: manipulative or transactional sex, rape and sexual assault

Abuse and harassment around pregnancy

Psychological abuse and intimidation

Hostile Versus Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment

There are two types of sexual harassment that should be defined. Though not limited to a gender, 35% of women worldwide become victims of violence at the workplace. Of these, almost 50% experience sexual harassment at some point.

Violence in the Workplace is More Likely When:

Working with unstable individuals

CBC news from Canada recently reported that between 2017-2020, construction workers made up 1 in 13 opioid-related deaths in Ontario. This raises awareness about the fact that certain workplace cultures can indirectly stigmatize those that are struggling, especially when no support programs exist. This can induce further additions and create an unsafe work environment. Prevention programs can help create a space for people to seek help and learn about proper self-care while helping to reduce the risk to their colleagues. This perpetuates a culture of self-awareness and accountability.
Prevention training should include tips on how to identify signs of distress (not appearing sober, sudden changes in mood, unusual complaints, faulty decision-making, confusion etc.) that may lead to an incident of violence in the workplace.
These instances are by no means unique to Ontario or Canada, and can occur anywhere.

The worksite is in an area of high crime

Workers may be exposed to violence due to the area they are located in. Whether it’s construction workers, or healthcare workers visiting patients in underserved areas, a worksite located in an area of high crime makes violence more likely.

Other factors

Working at late hours of the night, providing services and care, the worksite serves alcohol, and where money is exchanged with the public.

Beyond Occupation: Gender-Based Violence in the Workplace

Gender-based violence occurs in workplaces globally. Though not limited to a gender, women disproportionately experience more gender-based violence than men. This includes:

Physical and verbal abuse and bullying

Sexual harassment: the most common form of gender-based violence in the workplace which includes unwelcome or offensive conduct of a sexual nature such as unwanted sexual advances. These traumatizing experiences need to be abolished from workplaces through the long-term investment in preventative measures

Sexual abuse and violence: manipulative or transactional sex, rape and sexual assault

Abuse and harassment around pregnancy

Psychological abuse and intimidation

Hostile Versus Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment

Quid Pro Quo (This for That) Sexual Harassment: Happens when an authority figure such as manager or supervisor directly or indirectly demands sexual favors in exchange for a benefit (a promotion, pay increase, etc.) or in avoidance of a detriment (to keep a secret, termination, demotion, etc.).

Hostile Sexual Harassment: Takes many forms such as physical (unwanted touching, hugging etc.), verbal (offensive jokes, inappropriate advances etc.), non-verbal (stalking, staring, inappropriate gifts), and cyberbullying (inappropriate texts, messages, emails etc.)

It is important to highlight the forms of harassment in order to best understand how violence in the workplace prevention training can best work. By knowing where and how these issues are present in a workplace, we can begin to implement initiatives that encourage positive change and enhance safety.

Strategies for Preventing Violence in the Workplace

Violence in the workplace is an all-too-common concern for organizations worldwide, no matter the industry. Let’s take a look at certain steps you can take to prevent it in your workplace:

1. Conduct a Risk Assessment for Your Business

There is a need to implement violence prevention strategies for the above-identified at-risk occupations/areas and for people (such as women) who disproportionately experience more violence in the workplace. Even if those specific groups or tasks do not seem applicable to your business, it’s important to conduct a risk assessment regardless.

Since it is not possible to remove all risk factors, a risk assessment will help determine where specific types of violence are most likely to occur. Parameters such as access to weapons, alcohol, machinery used, location, group size, mental health issues etc – can be investigated. These will be cross-referenced with your employees’ risk factors, and give a sense of where, and between whom harassment may likely occur.

2. Create Opportunities for Communication and Sharing

Without encouragement to come forward and share experiences, the cycle of harassment and trauma will continue in a workplace. Without effective means of communication and sharing, victims will continue to suffer in silence. Globally, only about half of victims disclosed their violence in the workplace experiences to someone else – which likely happened after repeated harassment. The common reasons for not coming forward are fears about reputation being ruined and believing the case is a waste of time.

For those working in isolated locations or construction sites, an HR department may not be nearby. As such, clear communication channels among employees are important, so that issues can be addressed right away. If you run a large plant or facility, a mass notification platform can help direct such claims. A chain of command sets the report of harassment to the appropriate departments, so the incident does not fall through the cracks.

3. Vigorous Employee Training

At TEAM Group, we are big on training, because awareness is power. We are always continuously updating training needs, resources and platforms. Following a recent update, TEAM integrated the industry leading Kantola for training on the subject of workplace safety. The engaging, innovative and easy-to-use online training solutions help give new perspectives, achieve compliance and elevate culture. The courses our employees complete include those about workplace conflict, signs and symptoms (i.e. safety violations, insubordination, disruptive or unusual behaviour etc.) and how to use safety controls (i.e. panic buttons, reporting, whistleblower policy) to ensure a safer workplace for all. We work together as a TEAM. Read TEAM Group’s Whistleblower Policy and see how it protects employees

Employee training and development regarding violence in the workplace will be especially effective for the higher risk groups that were identified in your risk assessment. Leaders must provide additional training and support to these groups and make the programs (anything from offering an on-site counselor or an informal group meeting) attractive and accessible.

4. Offer Mental Health Awareness Training

Offering mental health awareness training for all employees is becoming increasingly common, as this is often the root cause of violence in the workplace. The cost of traditional one-on-one therapy is expensive, making this counseling option not readily available for everyone.

Offering mental health awareness training in the workplace is a monumental step for those who are struggling. Often, bringing awareness to issues within a group, and speaking openly, is the catalyst that helps confirm that they are not alone in the struggle, and that there is nothing wrong with them. Employers should strongly consider the cascading effect that even very simple mental health awareness training may have on the lives of their employees at work and beyond.

5. Increased Surveillance

Surveillance helps adapt and manage risk and also allows perpetrators to be identified. Surveillance can aid in places such as locker rooms, lavatory entrances, parking lots, dead zones, and more to create safe zones or safe spaces. Having surveillance vigilant helps with reporting, de-escalation and lockdown procedures.

TEAM Group: Zero Tolerance for Violence in the Workplace

TEAM Group is about uplifting people, respect and dignity, and accountability in the face of violence in the workplace. TEAM has a zero-tolerance commitment to harassment. The promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion principles is highlighted in our Diversity Policy. TEAM Group is committed to improving safety for all.

At TEAM, new and evolving policies are being created every year. Our Code of Conduct is continuously expanding its view to help identify, discourage and prevent behaviour that leads to violence in the workplace. Our workplace violence taskforce (HR, H&S, IT) are all equipped to support and keep employees safe on the job.

The value of safety in the workplace is extremely important, especially in at-risk workplaces. TEAM champions its policies and training which protect employees in all aspects. The best way to have a strong TEAM is to support each other with awareness and respect while holding ourselves accountable for reporting on violence in the workplace while pushing leaders to stay by their programs, policies and employee’s needs.