Violence in the Workplace: Statistics Every Employer Needs to Know

Violence in the workplace is on the rise, according to recent news. A UPS shooting in San Francisco in 2017 in which an employee shot three of his coworkers is a good example, and there is a list of other incidents. The numbers of incidents that happen inside the workplace continue to go up. Statistics regarding violence in the workplace are important to know because these statistics offer a snapshot look into how possible it is that something could go wrong so employers can get proactive about protection and prevention.

1. Every year almost two million American employees will be a victim of violence in the workplace.

The National Safety Council provides this number and says those numbers are definitely a scary thing. According to their website, violence in the workplace is measured in four different categories:

•     criminal intent
•     worker-on-worker
•     customer-client
•     personal relationship

2. Homicide is the reason for 9% of workplace deaths.

There are seven listed reasons for workplace deaths with the National Center for Victims of Crimes, such as falls or slips, transportation incidents, and toxic exposure. However, homicide is right there with the rest of the causes, which is a disconcerting thought for business owners who want to provide a safe workplace environment.

3. There are about 18,000 workplace assaults recorded every week in the U.S.

The problems with violence in the workplace have hit an all-time high in recent years, according to Rave Mobile Safety. There are about 18,000 incidents recorded that involve some level of assault on a weekly basis. This number is scary enough, but there are also many incidents that do not get reported at all.

Prevention Is Key, But How Does It Happen?

There are multiple things employers should do to prevent violence in the workplace from ever being a problem. First and foremost, all employees should undergo professional background screening before they are ever allowed to join the workplace. The best predictor of future behavior is what is listed on an individual’s record. Therefore, a thorough background check can prevent people being brought in that could be more of a risk. Secondly, educating employees on how to properly handle assault, workplace violence incidents, and threats helps encourage them to feel comfortable enough about reporting small incidents that could eventually get worse.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_UPS_shooting
Source: https://www.ravemobilesafety.com/blog/latest-workplace-violence-statistics

Disclaimer Statement: All information presented is for information purposes only and is not intended to provide professional or legal advice regarding actions to take in any situation.