Recently, violence in the workplace has received considerable attention in the popular press and among safety and health professionals. Much of the reason for this attention is regarding the magnitude of this problem in U.S. workplaces. Unfortunately, sensational acts of coworker violence, which form only a small part of the problem, are often emphasized by the media to the exclusion of the almost daily killings of taxicab drivers, convenience store clerks and other retail workers, security guards, and police officers.
These deaths often go virtually unnoticed, yet their numbers are staggering: “1,071 workplace homicides occurred in 2003. These homicides included 179 supervisors or proprietors in retail sales, 105 cashiers, 86 taxicab drivers, 49 managers in restaurants or hotels, 70 police officers or detectives, and 76 security guards. An additional 1 million workers were assaulted each year. These figures indicate that an average of 20 workers are murdered and 18,000 are assaulted each week while at work or on duty” (Meadows, 2003).
Most people think of violence as a physical assault. However, workplace violence is a much broader problem. It is any act in which a person is abused, threatened, intimidated or assaulted in his or her employment.
Workplace violence includes: Threatening behavior - such as shaking fists, destroying property or throwing objects. Verbal or written threats - any expression of intent to inflict harm. Harassment - any behavior that demeans, embarrasses, humiliates, annoys, alarms or verbally abuses a person and that is known or would be expected to be unwelcome. This includes words, gestures, intimidation, bullying, or other inappropriate activities.
Verbal abuse - swearing, insults or condescending language. Physical attacks - hitting, shoving, pushing or kicking. Rumors, swearing, verbal abuse, pranks, arguments, property damage, vandalism, sabotage, pushing, theft, physical assaults, psychological trauma, anger-related incidents, rape, arson and murder are all......
