1. Workplace Violence

2. Workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that happens at work

3. Workplace violence can include
Threats
Physical assaults
Verbal abuse
Homicide

4. Homicide is the fourth leading cause of work-related deaths in the US
Nearly 2 million American workers report having been victims of workplace violence each year
Each week, an average of 20 workers are murdered and 18,000 are assaulted while at work or on duty

5. A risk factor is a condition or circumstance that can increase the likelihood of violence in a particular setting It does not mean violence will definitely happen, only that there is a greater chance for it to happen

6. Risk factors can include
Drug or alcohol use on the job
Increased work demands
Personality conflicts
Emotional disturbances
Unfair disciplinary actions

7. Warning signs can also alert you to potential violence
Some warning signs to watch for include
Aggressive behavior
Failure to handle criticism
Holding a grudge
Frequent bad moods

8. Workplace violence can come from different people, not just your coworkers
The four main sources of workplace violence are classified by the relationship between the victim and the attacker

9. The four sources are
Type I – Strangers
Type II – Clients or customers
Type III – Coworkers
Type IV – Personal relationships, including family, friends, and other people outside of work

10. To help prevent workplace violence, companies should
Maintain a safe and secure jobsite with security on the premises
Clearly communicate company security policies to workers
Create a zero tolerance policy on workplace violence
Enforce the rules fairly and consistently according to the zero tolerance policy

11. A zero tolerance policy means your company will not tolerate any form
A zero tolerance policy means your company will not tolerate any form of violence or harassment

12. Do not hesitate to tell your supervisor about a potentially violent situation as soon as possible

13. If there is a complaint or report, your supervisor should investigate the complaint and follow through with the appropriate disciplinary action

14. Workers should be proactive when it comes to potential violence at work
All workers need to be on the lookout for signs of workplace violence and take action before there is an incident

15. Tell your supervisor immediately if you
Are being threatened
Are the victim of a violent act
Witness a threat or violent act
Find out about a threat or violent act

16. Workplace violence is a serious issue for companies and workers
Be on the lookout for potentially violent behavior and report it to your supervisor immediately