Workplace violence is a serious issue that goes beyond the high-profile cases we see on the news. It is defined by OSHA as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site, ranging from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve employees, clients, customers, and visitors.”
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2020, there were 392 workplace homicides and 37,060 non-fatal workplace injuries that resulted from intentional injury by another person. It is important to remember that these are only the cases that are reported, and as with other crimes, many victims choose not to report due to many contributing factors.