According to a survey published in February 2014 by the Workplace Bullying Institute , 20% of workers surveyed said they have been bullied at work; 44% either saw or were aware of bullying in the workplace; and 7% said they are currently being bullied at work. Their definition of Workplace Bullying is: repeated, health-harming mistreatment of one or more persons (the targets) by one or more perpetrators. It is abusive conduct that is:
- Threatening, humiliating, or intimidating, or
- Work interference — sabotage — which prevents work from getting done, or
- Verbal abuse
Unchecked, workplace bullying can lead to workplace violence.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that about 2 million U.S. workers are victims of workplace violence each year and about 10 percent of workplace fatalities are homicides. The monetary costs of workplace violence have been estimated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to exceed $120 billion per year, and the human costs are immeasurable.
Employers should take some basic steps to address workplace violence by adopting policies and procedures that demonstrate to their employees the importance of a safe workplace.
Those steps should include:
- A written zero-tolerance policy for incidents of violence or threatening behavior in the workplace.
- Substantial disciplinary action, up to and including termination, for harassing or threatening behavior.
- An easy system for employees to report suspicious or threatening circumstances.
A documented and detailed action plan outlining how the business will respond to those reports. - A system for documenting those reports and the action taken by the business to address the report.
- A written and detailed emergency action plan in the event of a violent incident.
“Communication is vital when it comes to both preventing and responding to workplace violence. That communication must include both management and employees to ensure policies are not only implemented but adjusted as necessary to respond to the changing environment. The goal of working together is to keep everyone safe on the job.” (Ashburn, Employers Have an Obligation to Address Workplace Violence, 2014)
Simpson Security and Investigative Advisory Group, LLC can help businesses develop a workplace violence action plan, provide strategies for mitigating the risk of workplace violence, and provide workplace violence training to managers and employees.