What Are the Main Types of Violence in the Workplace?

We hear about violence every day. Employers are keenly aware that violence can and does permeate the workplace. We want to do everything we can to eliminate violence and keep one another safe.

What can an employer do to reduce the chances of violence occurring in the workplace? The first step is to understand what types of violence is most likely to occur. When we understand this, we can think through the actions that could be taken to prevent it.

What Are the Main Types of Violence in the Workplace?

Workplace violence can occur amongst or within a group of employees or it may occur from outsiders who are on the premises. This might be customers, vendors, significant others, or even strangers. In fact, workplace violence is typically broken down like this:

1. Type 1: Criminals. In this type of workplace violence, an outsider commits an act of violence against one or more employees. This often happens as part of another crime, such as a robbery. Organizations most at risk for this type of workplace violence are those who handle large amounts of cash. While this type of workplace violence is not the most prevalent, it is responsible for the most fatalities.
2. Type 2: Clients.In this type of workplace violence, the person committing the violent act is not simply an outsider—the person has some sort of relationship with the organization. He or she might be a customer, a patient, a vendor, or a student, for example. This is the most common type of workplace violence. Organizations most at risk are those that deal with people who are violent or those that deal with people who are under a lot of stress. One example is airline employees—they are at risk of passengers becoming violent when under stress. Another example is hospital employees—they are at risk of violence from patients.
3. Type 3: Employees versus employee. In this type of violence, the violent act is carried out by one or more employees against other employees. This risk exists for all organizations, and it is the reason why background checks are so important. The risk can be heightened during times of stress, such as during times when positions are being eliminated or departments are being shut down. The risk is also high for organizations whose employees work under stressful conditions.
4. Type 4: Relationships.This type of violence again comes from an outsider to the organization, but the outsider is known to one or more employees and is someone with whom they have a personal relationship. It might be a family member or spouse, for example. Typically, the violence is intended for the employee with whom there is a relationship, but that doesn’t mean it will be contained there. Any business can be at risk, but the risk increases for organizations that do not have a way to limit access to outsiders coming in, such as in retail shops. Women are most at risk for this type of violence. As such, it is also a higher risk for organizations with large numbers of women in the workplace.

Recognizing the types of violence that are most likely to occur is the first step to preventing it. By understanding this list, we can begin to think through what actions can be taken to reduce the risk of violence in the workplace.

About Bridget Miller:

Bridget Miller is a business consultant with a specialized MBA in International Economics and Management, which provides a unique perspective on business challenges. She’s been working in the corporate world for over 15 years, with experience across multiple diverse departments including HR, sales, marketing, IT, commercial development, and training.