Most
people think of violence as a physical assault. However, workplace violence is
a much broader problem. It is any act in which a person is abused, threatened,
intimidated or assaulted in his or her employment.
Workplace
violence includes:
threatening
behaviour - such
as shaking fists, destroying property or throwing objects.
verbal
or written threats
- any expression of an intent to inflict harm.
harassment - any behaviour that demeans,
embarrasses, humiliates, annoys, alarms or verbally abuses a person and that is
known or would be expected to be unwelcome. This includes words, gestures,
intimidation, bullying, or other inappropriate activities.
verbal
abuse - swearing,
insults or condescending language.
physical
attacks - hitting,
shoving, pushing or kicking.
Rumours,
swearing, verbal abuse, pranks, arguments, property damage, vandalism,
sabotage, pushing, theft, physical assaults, psychological trauma, anger-related
incidents, rape, arson and murder are all examples of workplace violence.
Workplace
violence is not limited to incidents that occur within a traditional workplace.
Work-related violence can occur at off-site business-related functions
(conferences, trade shows), at social events related to work, in clients’ homes
or away from work but resulting from work (a threatening telephone call to your
home from a client).
Source:
The
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety ( CCOHS )
1-800-263-8466
(toll-free
in Canada)
1-905-572-4400
(8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time)
1-905-572-4500
(FAX)