Workplace Violence Essay

Harassment has plagued the world for centuries. Why should the workplace be any different? Sexual harassment and workplace violence are not only of historical roots, but contemporary issues are still present in the workforce today. Managers are addressing and combating modern sexual harassment and workplace violence, however instances still occur (Robbins, Decenzo & Coulter, 2011).

First, it is imperative to understand what horizontal violence, lateral violence, or workplace bullying is to become fully aware of this issue’s extent; these terms are often used interchangeably. A commonality among sources is the description of horizontal violence as “acts of aggression” committed by one coworker against another (Becher & Visovsky, 2012, p. 210). Astonishingly, the range of what is considered horizontal violence is vast, and these aggressive acts are revealed in several forms. Some violence is unmistakable such as threatening, name calling, criticizing, or public humiliation; however, other acts are less obvious such as withholding information, eye rolling, silence, and isolation (Becher & Visovsky, 2012). Still, other violence includes “scapegoating

Making people aware that there is a problem with workplace violence and there is a need for change.

Among the most important findings of this study it is that the interviewed workers reported experiencing a deterioration of their health while they were at working. According to Lovell and Lee (2011), “however, the negative atmosphere led to reoccurrences of somatic symptoms from their chronic illnesses”. Undoubtedly, the constant exposure to a situation of psychological violence in a group can affect various forms of employee health.

More recently, legislation to increase penalties for assaulting health care providers was drafted in some states but passed in only seven states (Papa & Venella, 2013). With workplace violence continuously on the rise, concerns about the management of this issue are also growing. Through the use of violence prevention training programs targeting all staff, but especially management as they play a pivotal role in the reporting process and mitigating the situation if possible, workplace violence can

Violence can be defined as behavior which involves physical force with the intention to hurt, kill, or damage something or someone. It comes by way of emotional, sexual, physical, psychological, etc. Violence can also come in different types and in different venues in which many use to consider being safe such as a school or church. However there is one venue in which violence takes place both intentionally and unintentionally, it is the place many of us must report to daily to make an honest living and provide for ourselves and household(s). This place is none other than our workplace and in this place one could not even realize that it is happening to them due to no physical force is being presented. Workplace violence

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently released a staggering statistic which indicated there were 14,770 workplace homicide victims between 1992 and 2012. Averaging over 700 homicides per year, the largest number of homicides in one year (n=1080) occurred in 1994, while the lowest number (n=468) occurred in 2011. From 2003 to 2012 over half of the workplace homicides occurred within three occupation classifications: sales and related occupations (28%), protective service occupations (17%), and transportation and material moving occupations (13%). While homicides are the extreme example of workplace

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), " each week, an average of 20 workers are murdered and 18,000 are assaulted at work. Non-fatal assault’s at work result in millions of lost days and cost businesses’ millions of lost workdays. And the most disturbing finding homicide is the leading cause of death for women in the workplace." (http://www.ocpapsych.com/mtart4.htm). As a result, violence in the workplace has received considerable attention in the press and media and also in safety and health professionals.

Terminations: Among the several causes of Workplace violence a major one which has appeared and grown in recent years is the termination of the

Mathis, Jackson & Valentine (2013) provide examples of workplace violence categories as physical assault, threats, harassment, intimidation, and bullying. These acts are deemed to be violent in nature, can be directed towards someone at work or on duty and can be instigated by a criminal or a customer. In my company, I have yet to witness or bear part to any form of physical assault, threats, harassment, or physical intimidation. I view bullying as the most prevalent workplace violence in my organization. I define bullying as an intentional violent act either physical or non-physical, against a person or a group of persons which is intended to cause intimidation, mental duress, physical harm or to demean another person or group of persons.

The purpose of this study is to examine how to prevent workplace violence using one the research categories (Type III) and the OSHA five guidelines to identify warning signs to prevent worker-to-worker violence. Category Type III (Worker-on-Worker) violence occurs when an employee assaults or attacks his or her co-workers. In some cases, these incidents can take place after a series of increasingly hostile behaviors from the perpetrator (IPRC, 2001). Will a prevention program designed to spot or identify negative or disgruntled employees, abet in the prevention of workplace

Workplace Violence is an actual physical assault or threat of an assault in the workplace.

The issue of work place violence is becoming more prominent every day. The challenge that managers are facing is how to deal with it before and after the event. The management team must put things in place that allow them to reduce or prevent the possibility of any kind of violent event. These event cans stream from sexual harassment to conflict or even violence. The importance of mangers, at all levels, play in preventing work place violence is failing as more of these types of events are happening. The mass shooting in the workplace have almost become a normal part of life. The shootings are taking place in government facilities and private businesses all over the country. The managers in all these facilities help manage the prevention and, more importantly, the recovery after the events happen.

Workplace violence is a serious and growing issue in society. Employers need to develop intervention strategies to decrease reduce violence in the workplace. Also, employers and employees need to be aware of the signs when people exhibit behaviors that can lead to workplace violence. As a society, the issue needs to be acknowledged of the reality and work together for creating a solution. Lastly, employers and employees must not live in fear of addressing concerns if they see the potential for workplace violence or report when they witness or experience workplace violence.

It seems to be happening more often in today 's society, workplace violence. A disgruntled employee takes out their vengeance on co-workers or a company that has done them wrong. These attacks can included many things, often times though this means causing physical harm to someone else at the workplace. Looking around the Internet, there are many stories about workplace violence happenings all over the world. This paper will focus on two different cases of workplace violence. It will explain what happened in both cases and then it will give advice to the reader about what could be done to prevent the violence from occurring. Matthew 5:9 gives us insight into the importance of being peacemakers in our lives, “blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (New Revised Standard Version). It is the goal of this paper to give the reader considerations for helping to prevent workplace violence and become a better peacemaker at work.