How to Prevent Workplace Violence in 10 Ways

The Reality of Violence in the Workplace

In the face of escalating societal violence, businesses must prioritize the well-being of their employees. Consequently, organizations must proactively implement measures to prevent workplace violence and foster a secure and safe work environment.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 5,486 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2022, a 5.7-percent increase from 5,190 in 2021. In addition, violence and other injuries by persons or animals increased 11.6% to 849 in 2022, compared to 761 in 2021. Of those fatalities, 61.7% were homicides, resulting in 524 deaths, an 8.9-percent increase from 2021.

While violence is one of the major causes of death in the workplace, nonfatal cases are more common.

Overall, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration estimates there are about 2 million cases of workplace violence a year. The surprisingly high number of incidents spans a spectrum from verbal and physical abuse to homicides. Additionally, it is estimated that approximately 25% of workplace violence remains unreported.

These statistics remind us that workplace violence is more common than we might think. However, workplaces can adopt specific measures to prevent and reduce the impact of violence. Knowing how to prevent workplace violence empowers you to be part of the solution, making your company a safer place for all employees.

10 Ways to Prevent Workplace Violence

1. Perform Comprehensive Background Checks on New Employees.

Preventing workplace violence starts with the hiring process. Conducting a thorough background check on potential employees (after they receive a job offer) can unveil any history of violence. If any concerning information surfaces, seek an explanation and ensure its consistency with the report. If the candidate has a recent violence conviction, you may choose to rescind the job offer to prevent such behavior in your workplace.

2. Establish a Policy to Prevent Harassment.

Harassment, characterized by repeated persecution, bullying, and troubling behavior that intimidates others, fosters an offensive work environment and often serves as a precursor to violence. Creating a policy to prevent harassment is a crucial step in averting the potential for violence. This policy should encompass a set of procedures to address workplace complaints efficiently and privately. In its development, it’s vital to involve every level of the organization, including managers, employees, and executives. Keep all individuals informed by distributing the new policy throughout your organization and take the necessary steps to ensure that every employee comprehends it.

3. Establish Effective Communication Channels.

Effective communication plays a pivotal role in preventing workplace violence. Provide your employees access to a workplace communication network to help them recognize and report early signs of potential violence instead of passively ignoring them to focus solely on work tasks. Grant them access to conflict-resolution resources to foster a sense of responsibility for communication. Additionally, offer an open line of communication to management, HR, and other key members of your company. This will contribute to an environment where employees can ensure their grievances are heard and appropriately addressed.

4. Training & Awareness are Crucial in Preventing Workplace Violence.

Conduct training sessions to educate your staff on responding to violent incidents so they know how to react when such situations occur.  ALICE Training®, for instance, teaches individuals how to respond to danger. Proper training enables team members to swiftly take decisive action, instilling the confidence needed to respond in a controlled and responsible manner during a violent incident.

5. Institute a Strict Anti-violence Policy.

Prevent workplace violence by implementing stringent policies that encourage your team to report violent, harassing behaviors, and other signs of danger. Such policies help eradicate undesirable employee behavior and ensure impartiality– managers must swiftly and consistently enforce consequences regardless of the violator’s position. Ensure all employees are well-informed about the repercussions of violating the policy. This resolute stance demonstrates your company’s commitment to preventing violence.

6. Mitigate The Escalation of Conflicts into Harassment or Violence.

Tense situations, such as employee layoffs or terminations, can generate intense anger, fostering a desire for retaliation. To prevent these conflicts from escalating into violence, promptly inform staff and bolster security measures during the departure of disgruntled individuals to prepare for potential escalation. This proactive approach enables employees to be vigilant for uninvited returnees and be better prepared to take necessary action if required.

7. Manage Visitors & Enhance Security Monitoring.

Effectively monitoring and, when feasible, managing visitors is a wise precaution to prevent workplace violence. Whether through security guards patrolling the facility and parking lot, utilizing video surveillance, or overseeing a visitor check-in desk, these additional security layers can act as deterrents to potential violent incidents. This is particularly crucial in situations where individuals work alone or in confined spaces or are involved in services related to money or alcohol. Additionally, consider offering after-hours escorts for workers in parking lots, especially when they may become more vulnerable targets when alone.

8. Deter Potential Robbers by Minimizing Accessible Assets.

Workplace violence frequently coincides with crimes such as robbery and shoplifting. 85% of workplace homicides fall into this category where criminals have no known connection to the business or its employees. To minimize the risk of robbery and potential violence, limit the assets at your facility. Implement electronic pay systems to reduce the amount of cash on hand and install a secured drop safe. Maintaining well-lit premises and requesting occasional visits from law enforcement officers can also contribute to security. Stay vigilant, paying attention to any customers exhibiting unusual behavior.

9. Identify Organizational Risk Factors that May Contribute to Violence.

Examine areas or concerns within your organization that could serve as potential risk factors for workplace violence. When coupled with the stress of personal situations employees bring to work, these factors may trigger aggression and outbursts. Evaluate your operations to recognize such risk factors, including issues like understaffing, inadequate security, a perception that violence is tolerated, or difficulties in properly reporting incidents by victims, among others.

10. Conduct a Comprehensive Analysis Following an Incident or Near Miss.

In the aftermath of a violent situation or successful prevention, undertake a thorough analysis.

• Determine who was affected and identify any warning signs, if present.
• Assess whether existing procedures and operations were followed, and if not, ascertain the reasons behind any deviations.
• Evaluate the adequacy of team members’ training. Identify new procedures and operations that could enhance staff safety and security.

Addressing these points will allow you to refine existing plans and fortify your business’s capability to effectively prevent workplace violence.

Prepare & Respond to Workplace Violence with ALICE Training®

While taking preventive measures against workplace violence is crucial, preparing your workforce to respond confidently is equally imperative. ALICE Training® equips your organization with the knowledge and skills needed to respond decisively in the event of a violent incident. The proactive, options-based strategies provided by ALICE increase survivability during the critical period between the onset of a violent incident and the arrival of law enforcement.

ALICE has trained millions of people in schools, law enforcement, workplaces, and places of worship in active shooter response strategies. ALICE Training® goes beyond traditional lockdown methods, providing individuals with multi-option response skills that will greatly increase their odds of survival during any critical incident.