Workplace Violence Consultant
Workplace violence continues to spread across the country, emphasizing the need for preventative measures. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, there are over 2 million cases of workplace violence that occur annually. Studies have indicated that healthcare workers experience workplace violence at a rate of 75% higher than the national average.
Non-fatal cases of workplace violence occur more frequently than life threatening cases. However, violence is the leading cause of workplace deaths. Approximately 400 workplace homicides occur each year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2019, 761 out of the 5,333 fatal workplace injuries reported were intentional injuries perpetrated by another individual.
What is the Cost of Workplace Violence?
It is estimated that workplace violence creates an annual business loss of $130 billion dollars annually in the United States. This is through lost productivity of workforces who are in fear or have been victimized through actual injuries. Workplace violence can and does result in medical costs and lawsuits. There has been no study to date, however, it is not beyond logical reasoning that a workforce that is threatened or in fear can result in lawsuits when those workers are distracted and cause a medical error or manufacture a defective product.
Is Workplace Violence Under-reported?
Yes. While there are many statistics about workplace violence, it is estimated that more than 25% of incidents are not reported. In healthcare, studies have estimated that only 30% of nurses and 26% of physicians report incidents of workplace violence. Underreporting incidents is very common due to many reasons. For example, in the healthcare industry, many employees may believe that dealing with violence is just part of the job. This normalizes these incidents so employees may not report them. There are also some organizational barriers to reporting such as inadequate procedures, complex and lengthy processes, fear of retaliation or inaction, and more.
What is workplace violence?
The term “workplace violence” consists of many different actions. It can include threatening behavior (such as clenched fists), threats (written or verbal), verbal abuse (such as insults) and physical attacks (such as hitting). The most extreme form of workplace violence is homicide. These actions can occur on the actual worksite or any location where job duties are conducted, such as a client’s home. The impact of workplace violence is huge and can affect employees, customers, and visitors. Injuries can range from physical harm to psychological harm, and even death.
Who is at risk of workplace violence?
Some risk factors have been identified for workplace violence. One high risk factor is working with unstable people, fields like social services and healthcare are an example of this. Other high-risk occupations include customer service, transportation, protective services, law enforcement, and delivery drivers. Job positions that exchange money, work night shifts, serve alcohol, and work in isolated areas are also high risk. Additional factors that can increase the risk include authoritative leadership, poor institutional policies, and organizational injustice.
How can workplace violence hazards be reduced?
Knowing how to prevent workplace violence can make a big difference in the work environment. Even in high-risk jobs, if the proper precautions are taken, workplace violence can be reduced. It is also crucial to implement precautions during the hiring process, such as background checks. Companies should routinely assess for any risk factors present on the worksite, such as poor lighting. Employers should have a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan that includes a zero-tolerance policy, staff training, and management commitment. This plan must clearly define unacceptable behavior, consequences, and the reporting process. All employees should be knowledgeable on the workplace violence policy and reporting procedures. In addition, it is highly recommended that hospitals and businesses have their workplace violence plan and internal security program assessed every 5 years by an external Independent Security Consultant.
Regulatory and Accreditation agencies should be vocal on their commitment to a non-violent environment and encourage reporting of incidents. The Joint Commission, a hospital accreditation agency, has recently taken a unique step towards increasing hospital safety by strengthening workplace violence standards. The Joint Commission’s new requirements that went into effect in January 2022 hold hospitals and their administrations accountable to have certain workplace violence prevention and response strategies and methods in place. Click on the following link for a detailed analysis and guide on compliance with the Joint Commission’s new workplace violence standards. Understanding The Joint Commission’s New Requirements for Workplace Violence Prevention in Healthcare.
What are 4 types of workplace violence?
There are four main types of workplace violence. The first type is criminal intent. This consists of crimes like aggravated assault, battery, and robbery. The perpetrator of the crime does not have a relationship with the workers or establishment. The second type of workplace violence is customer/client, where a client is paying for a service. The term “client” can also include patients, inmates, students, and more. The client is the perpetrator of violence upon an employee in this situation. The third type of workplace violence is worker/worker. This can include a current or past employee who perpetrates violence on another employee. The last type of workplace violence resulting from domestic violence or personal relationships. In this type, the perpetrator does not have a relationship with the establishment. However, the perpetrator has a relationship with the victim. An example of this would be an employee assaulted on the job by a former spouse.
