The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) took notice and began studying the issue. In 1993, they released their first publication, “Preventing Homicide in the Workplace.” The publication identified high-risk occupations and workplaces and revealed some surprising statistics. For example, taxicab establishments had a workplace homicide rate nearly 40 times the national average, more than three times higher than liquor stores, which came in second.
As research continued, experts realized that workplace violence wasn’t just about scary and extreme shootings.
From the research, the FBI identified four distinct types of workplace violence:
- Criminal intent (like robbery)
- Customer violence
- Worker-on-worker violence
- Personal relationship disputes
These categories included broader definitions of violence, with everything from verbal abuse and harassment to physical assaults and homicide. It became clear that addressing workplace violence would require a multilayered and comprehensive approach.
Shocking Statistics
By the mid-1990s, researchers were starting to get a handle on the scope of the problem. The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published a joint statistical study that examined incidents from 1992 to 2019 of fatal and nonfatal violence that occurred against persons at work, and violence that was away from work but were motivated by work-related issues. The study found that over that 27-year period, 17,865 persons were killed in workplace homicides. Homicides in the workplace peaked in 1994 at 1,080 and dropped in 2019 to 454, a decline of 58%. During more recent periods, however, a dramatic increase has been seen. In 2020, there were a total of 392 workplace homicides; in 2021, there were 761; and in 2022, there were 849.
The Cost
The costs of workplace violence were staggering, adding billions of dollars from lost work time, reduced productivity, medical expenses, and legal fees. It was becoming increasingly clear that workplace violence wasn’t just a safety issue. It was an economic one, too, and large brands and organizations were paying a steep price. What happened? They resigned to the fact that the safety and security of their workforce should be a top priority.
As understanding of workplace violence grew, so did efforts to prevent it. Here’s a look at how safety measures have evolved:
Risk Assessment: Organizations began conducting thorough risk assessments to identify potential areas of exposure.
Physical Security: Many workplaces upgraded their physical security, including access control systems, security cameras, and improved lighting.
Training Programs: Employee training and education has been expanded to cover topics like recognizing the warning signs of violence and include tools to heighten employee awareness.
Zero Tolerance Policies: Many organizations implemented strict policies against all forms of workplace violence and harassment.
Domestic Violence Awareness: Recognizing the impact of personal relationships on workplace safety, many employers now include domestic violence awareness in their safety programs.
Improved Reporting Systems: Organizations developed better systems for reporting and tracking incidents, helping to identify patterns and areas for improvement. Training employees to report all incidences, no matter how small, has been a major factor in prevention.
Interdisciplinary Approach: Modern workplace violence prevention often involves collaboration among security, human resources, legal, and employee assistance departments.
The Road Ahead
Although workplace violence remains a serious concern and continues to rise, there is light at the end of the tunnel and reason for optimism. Advances in technology, such as AI-powered threat detection systems and virtual reality training simulations, as well as attention-grabbing employee education and awareness programs are all useful tools used in large organizations to minimize and help prevent violence. Moreover, there’s growing recognition of the importance of addressing root causes, such as workplace stress and mental health issues.
From the chaotic postal shootings of the 1980s to today’s comprehensive workplace violence prevention programs, the journey to improve workplace safety has transformed how we approach it.
At CrewSafe, we’ve always understood the impact and effectiveness of employee education and awareness through our award-winning Employee Awareness Poster Program. We offer a wide variety of topics, including workplace safety, harassment, team safety, and security awareness, to name a few. This program uses eye-catching graphics to impart important safety messaging to employees and is available at www.crewsafe.com/posters. Help foster a culture of safety awareness that resonates with your employees.
While challenges certainly remain, we’re now equipped with better understanding, improved strategies, and cutting-edge tools. Remember, workplace safety is a collective responsibility. By embracing resources like CrewSafe’s awareness posters and advertising safety and awareness 24/7, staying vigilant, and actively participating in safety initiatives, we can all contribute to creating work environments where everyone feels secure and safe. After all, a safe workplace is a productive workplace, and with CrewSafe, you’re taking a significant step towards achieving that goal.
Sources
- Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). Workplace Violence: Issues in Response. Retrieved September 20, 2024, from https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/workplace_violence.pdf
- Wikipedia contributors. (2024, September 15). Workplace violence. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workplace_violence
- Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2022, July 21). Federal Agencies Release Joint Study on Workplace Violence. https://bjs.ojp.gov/press-release/federal-agencies-release-joint-study-workplace-violence
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, September 7). Highlights from a New Report on Indicators of Workplace Violence. NIOSH Science Blog. https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2022/09/07/workplace-violence-indicators/
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, November 21). Workplace violence: homicides and nonfatal intentional injuries by another person in 2020. https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2022/workplace-violence-homicides-and-nonfatal-intentional-injuries-by-another-person-in-2020.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, December 23). News Release – National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2022. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf