The Impact of Workplace Violence in Your Organization

Workplace violence is a serious issue that can have a devastating impact on employees and organizations. Each year, an average of 2 million United States workers report being a victim of  violence at work, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Employees may suffer from physical injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health problems. Businesses may lose customers, revenue, and productivity. Additionally, entire industries may be affected by a loss of confidence and trust. This is a real problem, and can lower the morale of organizations. Luckily, there are some measures that can be taken to prevent workplace violence as much as possible. In this blog post, we will discuss the definition of workplace violence, the types of incidents that can occur, and the effects that workplace violence can have on employees and organizations. We will also provide tips for creating workplace violence prevention plans.

What is Workplace Violence?

Workplace violence can take many forms, from physical assaults, verbal abuse, and threats to psychological intimidation and harassment. In extreme cases, it can even lead to homicide. Workplace violence is often perpetrated by disgruntled employees or customers who feel they have been mistreated. However, outsiders who have no personal connection to the business or its employees can also commit workplace violence. Some professions, such as healthcare professionals and law enforcement personnel, are at a higher risk for physical assault and other violent behavior due to the nature of their work. To fully understand workplace violence, you must know the different shapes and forms that workplace violence can take. There are different types of workplace violence that can affect staff members at your organization. 

Type One: Criminal Intent

This is a person who is acting in a violent manner and has no relationship with the business or its employees. An example of this would be someone robbing a store. 

Type Two: Customer or Client

This is a current or former employee OR client of a business who is acting in a violent manner either physically or verbally. This is a common type of workplace violence, and requires management to advocate for staff members to ensure that they feel safe. An example of this is a disgruntled customer at a restaurant verbally attacking wait staff. 

Type Three: Worker on Worker

A current or former employee who acts violently towards another current or former employee of a business is worker on worker workplace violence. This can also be in the form of a manager or supervisor acting violently towards a staff member. An example of this is a staff member bullying or intimidating another. 

Type Four: Personal

The person who is acting violently doesn’t have to be a patron or worker at a business to be a part of workplace violence. A person who has a personal relationship with someone who works at a business can contribute to workplace violence. An example of this is intimidation or bullying of a family member or spouse that occurs in the workplace. 

The Negative Impact of Workplace Violence

Regardless of the motives behind it, workplace violence can profoundly affect those who witness or experience it. Workplace violence can take many forms, from physical altercations to verbal threats and harassment. While some people may think of workplace violence as something that happens in high-risk industries like security or law enforcement, the reality is that it can occur in any workplace. Regardless of the type of business, workplace violence can harm employees. One of the most obvious ways workplace violence can adversely affect employees is by causing them to feel unsafe. This can lead to increased absenteeism as employees try to avoid coming to work. It can also lead to decreased productivity as workers worry about their safety and that of their co-workers.In addition, employees who witness or are victims of workplace violence may suffer from physical problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological problems. These issues can impact not only an individual’s work performance but also their personal life. Another common impact is damage or destruction of company property. When workplace harassment takes the form of physical violence, it is common that it can lead to property destruction that can cost your organization money to repair. Workplace violence can create a hostile work environment and lead to high turnover rates as employees look for jobs in safer environments. 

The negative effects of workplace violence is profound, and it is important to take the steps to ensure the mental and physical safety of staff members. 

How On-demand Training Can Help Organizations Prevent Workplace Violence

While no one training solution can completely prevent workplace violence, on-demand training can play a valuable role in a workplace violence prevention program. On-demand training allows employees to learn about workplace violence prevention at their own pace and in a format that suits their learning style. In addition, organizations can customize on-demand training to address their specific needs. For example, an organization might include on-demand training on identifying warning signs and risk factors of workplace violence, effective communication strategies, and developing a personal safety plan. By making on-demand training part of their workplace violence prevention strategy, organizations can help create a safer environment for employees and reduce the risk of workplace violence occurring.

Learn More About On-demand Training with showd.me

Preventing workplace violence is a complex problem with no easy solutions. However, increased awareness and vigilance can help to prevent it from occurring in the first place. By understanding the potential impacts of workplace violence, employers can help create a safe and productive work environment for all. showd.me offers on-demand training that is 100% compliant with all current laws and regulations. Our platform allows your employees to learn how to report workplace harassment when they observe it and how to prevent it from happening. Our content is easy to understand and available in multiple languages so that employees can learn in their native language. Plus, our content is animated and customizable and not your average training powerpoint.

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