Violence in the workplace is a global problem that has been on the rise in both first world and undeveloped countries since the beginning of the new millennium. In Europe, work related violence is defined as “incidents where people are abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work, involving an explicit or implicit challenge to their safety, well-being or health.”
Workplace violence can range from non-physical violence, including threats and intimidation, to physical violence, such a kicking and punching or aggravated assault with weapons. It is believed that this violence stems from job instability and a high pressure work environment, which places workers under so much stress that they commit acts of mobbing, bullying, sexual harassment and even homicide.
Surprisingly, a 2006 ILO study showed that the number of workplace murders and non-fatal assaults has been on the decrease in the US. However, it is important to keep in mind that homicide is the third leading cause of death in the American workplace, and OSHA and NIOSH have reported that the risk of being attacked while working is seven times higher in the US than in Europe.
Although Europe may not be experiencing quite the same degree of workplace violence as the US, it is still a troubling reality for the EU. The 2006 ILO study stated that within the EU:
- 2% (3 million) workers are subjected to physical violence from people belonging to their workplace.
- 4% (6 million) workers are subjected to physical violence from people outside their workplace. Highest exposure in Public Administration (6%) and the retail industry (5%).
- 2% (3 million) workers are subjected to sexual harassment. Highest exposure in catering services at hotels and restaurants (6%).
- 9% (13 million) workers are subjected to intimidation and bullying. Highest exposure in public administration (14%) and hotels and restaurants (13%). Service and sales workers are the most affected at 13%.
The amount of workplace violence differs greatly from country to country within the EU. It is believed that these differences are due to underreporting and less awareness in some countries. A 2007 study found that Europe has a physical violence rate of 5%, while the ILO study reported an overall European workplace violence rate of 9% and offered the following breakdown of country by country workplace violence levels:
- Finland 15%
- UK 14%
- The Netherlands 14%
- Sweden 12%
- Belgium 11%
- Spain 5%
- Italy 4%
- Portugal 4%
The EU has acknowledged workplace violence as an occupational health and safety issue that must be addressed. Belgium, France, Finland, Sweden and Poland are just a few European countries that have already amended existing laws to address this pressing issue. Copyright 2008
-Justine Bayod Espoz , Picore Worldwide’s Marketing Expert, Spain
9:07 pm on September 26th, 2008 1
Justine, Thanks for your report from Europe. WPV is a growing issue around the world even though the stats for the U.S. have dropped, however, don’t be fooled by stats there is still too much potential violence and existing violence in the U.S.
On another note, an Indian executive was killed by workers’ mob is the latest news in India.
The killing of a multinational company executive in an industrial dispute has India’s business community in disbelief.
Lalit Kishore Chaudhury, the chief executive of Graziano Trasmissioni India, an Italian car parts company, was beaten to death on the outskirts of Delhi on Monday in a violent industrial protest.
The world is stressed and with the U.S. in a terrible economic crisis can very well skyrocket our own WPV stats.
We need to all take a deep breath and think through the issues we have at work and what impact our decisions will have on employees. A strategy must be prepared and I usually don’t recommend interviewing potentially dangerous employees in the workplace. Remove them from the scene of fixation and deflect their anger away from the principal target.
Dana Picore, Ph.D., CEO Picore Worldwide