Work-related violence in healthcare sector

Workers in England and Wales were subjected to thousands of physical assaults and violent threats last year according to a 2008/2009 British Crime Survey (BCS) undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The survey revealed that 176,000 workers were threatened with violence while 168,000 were subjected to an actual assault, this represents an increase of almost 12% on the previous year. The survey also revealed that in terms of incidents reported to RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations 1995), violence was the cause of 6,160 cases of harm, including four fatalities and 928 major injuries. Men were slightly more likely to be victims of violence at work than women while the highest-risk age groups were 35-44 for men and 55-64 for women. This survey graphically highlights the scale of the problem now posed by workrelated violence. Not only does it harm efficiency and waste important resources, it can also destroy staff morale, motivation and performance, have a detrimental affect on staff attendance and, ultimately, even result in some leaving the organisation altogether. Left unmanaged, work-related violence can have serious financial and human costs – particularly within the healthcare which is now recognised as one of the most severely affected sectors.

Work-related violence

The potential for violence exists in every single workplace which, in turn, may result in serious harm or even death to victims. Violence manifests itself in a variety of forms, physical and nonphysical, and these incidents can happen at any time and at any location. According to the HSE, work-related violence encompasses “any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work”. Verbal abuse and threats or acts of aggressive behaviour are the most common types of reported incident. Other forms of violence encountered in the workplace include bullying, harassment, verbal abuse, the use of offensive language, racist or sexist remarks and obscene gestures. Although most violence tends to be directed towards employees from members of the public, it can also originate from their own colleagues. Virtually all types of workplaces and organisations are vulnerable to the risk of violence, particularly those occupations featuring a high degree of contact with the general public providing help, care and advice. This includes public sector areas such as education and the police, as well as the hospitality, retail and transport sectors. However, it is particularly within the healthcare community itself that concerns are now growing.