776 Preventing Workplace Violence in Healthcare

What is Workplace Violence?

Healthcare workers account for approximately two-thirds of the non-fatal workplace violence injuries involving days away from work. This places healthcare workers at a risk of assault requiring time off from work that is almost 5 times greater than the overall workforce.

Examples of violence include the following:

• Threats: Expressions of intent to cause harm, including verbal threats, threatening body language, and written threats.
• Physical assaults: Attacks ranging from slapping and beating to rape, homicide, and the use of weapons such as firearms, bombs, or knives.
• Muggings: Aggravated assaults, usually conducted by surprise and with intent to rob.

The impact of workplace violence can range from psychological distress to physical injury or even death. Violence can occur in any workplace and affect any type of worker. The risk of fatal violence is highest for workers in sales, protective services, and transportation, while the risk of nonfatal violence resulting in days away from work is greatest for healthcare and social assistance workers.

Is harassment considered workplace violence?

Generally, no. Harassment may be an unwanted, offensive, or intimidating action, but if it does not involve physical harm or the threat of physical harm, it is generally not considered workplace violence. Some important points to remember about harassment include:

• Harassment in the workplace is usually not tolerated as a policy because it can create a hostile work environment.
• Sexual harassment is one of the most common types of harassment to occur in the workplace.
• Harassment may be illegal if it is related to a person's status as a member of a protected class.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.