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Workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behaviour that occurs at the work site. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide (Occupational Safety & Health Administration, 2002). Developing a violence prevention program by an organization is extremely important to maintain a healthy atmosphere at the workplace and ensure both physical and psychological safety for the employees.
An organization can take several prevention measures before the violence actually happens. Firstly, the prevention and reparation policy against violence at the workplace should be developed. Every employee should have an opportunity to record the violence act that they have experienced or witnessed (for example, by using Event Report Forms). A clear code of conduct at the workplace should be established.
Secondly, the organisation can make awareness trainings. Every employee has to be acquainted with the way harassment and violence manifests itself at the workplace.
Thirdly, the relations in the working teams must be monitored attentively. The conflicts must be resolved at the early stage of development, to ensure that they will not grow into hostility and negative occurrences. Effective lines of communication should be set to prevent the victims of violence keeping silent.
Establishing positive interpersonal relations in at the workplace influences the overall success of the organisation in general. The employees tend to be more productive and efficient when they feel safety and a welcoming atmosphere at the organisation, when they see that their rights are respected and their personality is accepted regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and any other factors contributing to their individuality.
References
Baron, R.A., and H. A. Neuman (2010). Workplace violence and workplace aggression: Evidence on their relative frequency and potential causes. Aggressive Behavior 22: 161–173
“Occupational Safety & Health Administration” (2002). United States Department of Labor. Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/
