Violence in the Workplace Myths Exposed

Myth: Violence while you are at work is not common.

Reality: Workplace violence accounts for approximately 1,000 homicides annually. However, assault is often more likely to take place than homicide. This includes sexual assault, rape, assault with a deadly weapon, assault and robbery. Perpetrators are not armed in four out of five violent confrontations in the workplace. In the case of sexual assault, for instance, an employee may be victimized more than once, especially if the offender is a superior. Fear of losing the job or being ridiculed often compels a staff member to keep silent.

Myth: Government jobs like postal employees are significantly more prone to violence.

Although we\’ve all become familiar with the phrase \”going postal\”, the United States Postal Service is not where the majority of workplace violence takes place. In fact, only 3.1 percent of violence in the workplace occurs in Federal agencies. The rest are private companies across all types of products, services, and locations.

Myth: Women are not affected by workplace violence because its usually between men.

Reality: In non-fatal attacks at work, women are far more in danger than men from relatives, friends, acquaintances and especially former or even current partners or spouses. The top cause of women\’s death in the workplace is homicide. In addition, of all reported non-fatal assaults in the workplace, two-thirds occur in social service locations such as residential care facilities, nursing homes and hospitals. And, women make up the majority of the workers in these types of workplaces.

Myth: Employees always keep their personal problems at home, and do not bring those issues to work.

Reality: When women are killed at work, a former or current partner or spouse is responsible in one of five deaths. When employees or administrators have personal problems that are not resolved at home, emotional turmoil and rage may be carried over to the workplace, putting everyone at risk. In 30.3 percent of attacks on men in the workplace and 49.4 percent of attacks on women, friends, acquaintances and relatives are the perpetrators.

Myth: Security guards and metal detectors reduce violence in the workplace.

Reality: If the violent person has no connection with the company and approaches the workplace from outside, then security measures like metal detectors and security guards would stop them from entering. However, none of these security measures help to stop violent acts from internal sources, such as those who have access to a company or organization. This would include those who are known to an organization as a former or current employee, acquaintances, friends and family members of former or current employees. That is why so many spouses or ex spouses of women in the workplace can easily enter the building and commit acts of violence.

Myth: The most useful way to predict which person will turn violent at work is by completing demographic profiles.

Reality: General demographics do not zero in on a particular individual and are therefore not a helpful tool to predict who will become violent. Profiles in demographics normally are generic and focus on an outline of age, race and gender, and perhaps other factors depending on the purpose of the profile. The most useful approach is for colleagues and managers to be aware of other employees and observe individual behavior. To be useful in the workplace to predict who may steal, for instance, or who may become violent, the summary would have to be much more focused and precise.

Myth: Workplace violence is completely unpredictable.

Reality: Employees at high risk of turning violent can be identified if co-workers and supervisors take note of observable behavior and assess typical actions and statements of their fellow workers. Just by paying attention to someone making veiled or outright threats, the possibility of impending violence can be determined. This behavior can then be addressed before it escalates into violent actions. All employees should have training in this area.

Myth: You cannot reduce violence in the workplace.

Reality: Incorporating a system by executives and management that is composed of early intervention for anyone who is displaying violent tendencies, potential acts of violence could be headed off. The system should then be made a company wide policy. A training class should be made mandatory for every employee to identify pre-violent behavior. Once someone has been deemed a high-risk employee, steps can be taken to thwart any future violence.

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Violence in the Workplace Myths Exposed