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The truth about workplace violence: Why is this problem getting worse?
The term workplace violence covers all kinds of violent acts against employees, including physical abuse or threats, which not only endangers the health and safety of workers, but also gradually becomes a social and legal issue. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workplace violence can be any type of physical violence, harassment, or threatening behavior that occurs in the workplace. According to statistics, violence has now become a common problem in many workplaces, forcing people to think deeply about the reasons behind workplace violence.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, workplace violence can be divided into four categories: violence between employees, personal relationship violence, customer service violence, and violence with criminal intent.
Types of workplace violence
The specific situations of these four types of workplace violence are divided into three stages: the first stage is the early warning signs of violence, common behaviors include bullying, rudeness and uncooperativeness; the second stage is minor violence, such as open threats or serious interpersonal arguments; the third stage involves overt violence, such as threatening others with weapons or severely destroying property.
EpidemiologyAccording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workplace violence is on the rise. In 2011, violence and other injuries caused by people or animals accounted for 17% of all occupational deaths, of which homicides accounted for 10%. Such incidents have different impacts on workers of different genders, with female victims being significantly higher than male victims.
Currently, two million American workers report experiencing incidents of workplace violence each year, the majority of which are non-fatal.
Preventing Workplace Violence
The key to preventing workplace violence is understanding and identifying potentially risky behaviors. The U.S. Department of Labor has provided a series of prevention measures to help employees recognize the signs of these behaviors and their possible consequences, including a good work environment, safety measures and employee support services.
Global Perspectives
The definition of workplace violence varies from country to country. In a survey, the International Labor Organization found that the definition of work-related violence varies in different countries. Some countries only focus on physical consequences, while others may also include psychological factors. . According to a 2021 study, 22.8% of people worldwide have experienced violence and harassment at work, with the figures showing different trends among women and men in different regions.
From psychological violence to physical violence, how does workplace violence affect people's lives and mental health?
Coping strategies
When faced with workplace violence, you should remain calm and respond quickly. According to the Department of Homeland Security, first ensure your own safety before considering other response strategies. For employees who suffer violence, we should adopt a sympathetic and understanding attitude and gradually seek solutions to avoid further deterioration of the situation.
End
The problem of workplace violence is becoming more and more serious. The worrying question is whether this problem will become the norm in our future workplaces over time?
