What is workplace violence?

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 an 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 examples of workplace violence.

Workplace violence is not limited to incidents that occur within a traditional workplace. Work-related violence can occur at off-site business-related functions (conferences, trade shows), at social events related to work, in clients' homes or away from work but resulting from work (a threatening telephone call to your home from a client).