Workplace Violence : Steps And Prevent It

Workplace violence includes any incident in which an employee is threatened, intimated, verbally or physically attacked, harassed, injured or killed. Workplace, or occupational violence, as it is sometimes referred to, has and can occur in almost all types of settings, from large to small, private to public and rural to urban. Therefore, there is a demonstrated need for firms of all types, sizes and in all locations to become aware of the seriousness of

Workplace violence is the main issue in the United States expressed influencing a large number of American consistently. Working environment violence is any demonstration or danger of physical savagery, provocation, terrorizing, or other undermining problematic conduct that happens at the work site. It ranges from dangers and verbal mishandle to physical ambushes and even murder. It can influence and include workers, customers, nurses, patient, clients, and guests. Workplace violence can be discovered anywhere in every field we may accept the fact that it can happen in our workplace too, but the fewer people speak which is encouraging these criminals to prepare of making more atrocity. The occupational safety and health organization (OSHA) have created rules and suggestions to decrease laborer presentation to this deplorable scourge but still many people are being victimized their hands are tied up mouths are taped out to face the reality of what they are living through (OSHA 2015). OSHA’s paradigm incorporates the following elements: management commitment and employee involvement, hazard analysis or assessment, hazard controls, employee training, and recordkeeping and evaluation (McPhaul, London, & Lipscomb, 2013). As mentioned, these elements are basic guidelines in constructing a program, but more specific measures are needed to address specific precursors that contribute to the occurrence of violence and bullying. This would assist in forming the best strategies to remedy workplace violence and incivility.

Workplace violence occurs due to an interpersonal conflict between two or more people that results from differences in their needs, ideas, goals, interests, or values (Marquis and Huston, 2015). Workplace violence is not limited to physical violence; it also includes negative activities such as bulling, verbal abuse, pranking, negative insinuations, gossiping, insubordination, and withholding information (Latham, Ringl, & Hogan, 2013). Research suggests that more than 80 % nurses experience workplace violence at some point in their working careers (Frederick, 2014). New graduate nurses are especially susceptible to workplace violence because they are usually unprepared to deal with it, and they are more likely to leave the profession due to workplace violence (Frederick, 2014). Townsend (2012) reported that 70 % of nurses, who experienced bullying at the workplace, leave their jobs, and 60 % of new graduate nurses quit their jobs within first six months of being bullied (as cited in Marquis & Huston, 2015). Workplace violence is an important leadership issue to address because it affects turnover rates, productivity, patient safety, and overall quality of care (Marquis & Huston, 2015).

The acts violence can be overt or covert verbal and or non-verbal aggression. Such act includes behaviors like gossiping, withholding information and ostracism, which are referred to relational aggression or psychological abuse. These behaviors can also extend outside the workplace and can occur in person or in cyberspace (Walrafen, Brewer, & Mulvenon, 2012). According to King-Jones (2011), the origin of lateral violence is related to the oppressed group model that supported that nurses are powerless and oppressed group. Hence, they react by over-powering other Violence in the workplace is a national concern that affects all profession, especially the nursing profession. It is a known fact that violence brings unsafe environment that has detrimental effects to the individual nurses as well and their patients (Chipps, stelmaschuk, Albert, Bernhard, & Holloman,

This research paper discusses workplace violence, specifically the nursing population. Using results from previous research conducted, negative factors impacting a nurse and solutions to this issue are explored. There is a lack of reporting causing this issue of workplace violence to be difficult to determine interventions and bring about public awareness. Looking at the historical background of workplace violence in health care settings, researching the emotional and physical effects on nurses, discovering the effects on work competency, and uncovering the facts on federal legislation of this issue warrants the importance

Workplace violence most often involves aggressive behavior towards peers, subordinates, supervisors, and other members of the workforce. This can range from verbal abuse to physical violence. Aggression may occur as a response to many situations. Common examples are when individuals face the loss of a job, are passed over for promotion, or perceive favoritism toward others in the work environment.

Unfortunately, workplace violence is all too familiar for most these days. Most think of violence as some sort of physical altercation. However, it’s not only physical, but includes threatening and endangering behavior towards one, or a group of employees. In fact, you may be surprised by some of the actions that are included in workplace violence. Some that you may not think of, but they include and are not limited to: harassment, intimidation, extortion and threats. Obviously, things like assault, kidnapping, homicide, etc… Nearly two million people are involved or victims of workplace violence every year. In the United States, violence is measured with fatal and non-fatal statistics. Violence has surpassed accidental death as the leading

The Xerox shooting and the Sheraton stabbing are good examples of such violent episodes. Both incidences exhibited prior evidence of violence in the workplace; and if proper intervention by management was initiated, these tragedies could have been prevented. Therefore, employers need a good workplace violence program to protect their employees as well as their customers.

Violence in the workplace has become a major safety and health issue. Workplace violence is not limited to homicide. This type of violence includes behaviors and circumstances that threaten an employee 's physical safety; such as: verbal threats, sexual or physical harassment, coercion, behavior changes, intimidation, stalking, telephone/email harassment, and history of aggression. “Workplace violence incidents have tripled in the last decade, and it is now the fastest-growing category of murder in the United States. It is also the second leading cause of death for women in the workplace (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016).” The United States Department of Justice declared the workplace as one of the most dangerous places to

And depending on the location, nature, and scope of the workplace violence, parties of concern can develop means to cope with, reduce, or eliminate workplace violence. It is also worthy to note, that the entities involved will determine the extent of any programs developed to combat the matter. For example, law enforcement agencies with reliable and extensive resources may develop a more comprehensive program, than a small private corporation, or a sole proprietor of a small company.

Violence in the workplace continues to be a major concern and recently the concern has been growing by situations that have taken place. An assault, or threat of an assault, directed toward a worker on duty falls under the category of workplace violence. There are a lot of issues that can cause workplace violence. Stress, economic hardship and the inability to control anger are all some issues that can lead to health and safety issues. OSHA, as well as state and government agencies give practical guidelines to establish safe working environments, the role of a manager is very important in aiding in the prevention of workplace violence.

But the sad reality is workplace violence happens more than you think. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, nearly two million Americans report having been victims of workplace violence each year.

Much of my experience has been in the manufacturing industry. What is acceptable in this environment would never be allowed in an office setting. It’s as if a different set of rules exist. Within this atmosphere I have seen structural violence in how men treat women in the workplace. In my experience, a majority of the male employees speak and act inappropriately. The men that don’t partake sit quiet without objection. Their silence communicates acceptance. The structural violence is exercised through sexist remarks and domineering (and sometimes hostile) behavior towards female workers.

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.

Workplace violence is defined in the OHSA as the exercise or attempted exercise of physical