IMPACT OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is the primary source of information on criminal victimization in the United States, including workplace violence. In 2022, the BJS, in cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analyzed incidents of fatal and nonfatal violence that took place against persons at work or on duty over a 27-year period (1992–2019). Key findings include:

  • 17,865 persons were killed in a workplace homicide.
  • From 2014 to 2019, workplace homicides increased 11%.
  • 82% of victims of workplace homicide were male.
  • 46% of workplace homicide victims were White; 25% were Black; and 16% were Hispanic.
  • 66% of workplace homicide victims were ages 25–54.
  • 23% of victims of workplace homicide were self-employed.
  • 79% of workplace homicides were shootings.
  • In 2019, the rate of nonfatal workplace violence was 9.2 violent crimes per 1,000 workers ages 16 or older.
  • The average annual rate of nonfatal workplace violence was 8.0 nonfatal violent crimes per 1,000 workers ages 16 or older.
  • Males committed 64% of nonfatal workplace violence occurrences.
  • The perpetrator was armed in 16% of nonfatal workplace violence occurrences.
  • 12% of nonfatal workplace violence involved injury to the victim.
  • Nearly 25% of nonfatal workplace violence against workers in medical occupations resulted in injury to the victim.
  • 15% of victims of nonfatal workplace violence reported severe emotional distress due to the violence.
  • An estimated 39% of all nonfatal workplace violence were reported to law enforcement.
    (BJS, 2022; CDC, 2022)

The National Safety Council (2022) reports that assaults are the fifth leading cause of work-related deaths. For the first time since 2011 (when recording keeping was established), nonfatal work-related assault injures decreased in 2020. Assaults in the workplace resulted in 20,050 injuries and illnesses involving days away from work in 2020 and 481 fatalities in 2021.

The National Safety Council (2022) categorizes assaults as “intentional injury inflicted by another person.” Assaults include several types of events, including:

  • Intentional shooting by another person
  • Stabbing, cutting, slashing, or piercing
  • Hitting, kicking, beating, and shoving
  • Strangulation
  • Bombing and arson
  • Rape and sexual assault
  • Threats and verbal assault

Incidence of Workplace Violence in the Healthcare Setting

Violence against healthcare workers is an increasing epidemic. Data taken from various research projects show that:

  • In a survey of 15,000 registered nurses, 20% reported increased workplace violence.
  • The Joint Commission noted that healthcare workers are four times more likely to be assaulted compared to workers in private industry.
  • OSHA reports that about 75% of an estimated 25,000 workplace assaults are reported every year in healthcare and social service settings.
  • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that healthcare workers and people who work in social assistance are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than other workers.
  • A National Crime Victimization Survey showed healthcare workers are 20% more likely to be the victim of workplace violence than other workers.
  • The American College of Emergency Physicians reported that 70% of emergency department physicians have reported experiencing acts of work-related violence. However only three percent of these physicians pressed charges.
    (Nurse.org, 2022)
LAWS ADDRESSING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE IN HEALTHCARE

In 1970, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was enacted to “ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women.” Yet workplace violence has been an ever-increasing problem that continues to threaten the safe and healthful working conditions that are the rights of every working person (USDOL, 1970).

State laws addressing assaults of healthcare workers vary by state, as do the consequences for committing workplace violence. For example, a majority of states have criminal statutes that specifically address assaults on emergency medical providers, and 32 states make it a felony to assault a healthcare worker or emergency medical personnel. Seven states mandate that healthcare employers implement workplace violence prevention programs. Under various circumstances, any type of assault can become a felony that can be punished by lengthy prison terms and large monetary fines (Coble, 2019).

(For current information on state laws pertaining to workplace violence, all healthcare professionals are advised to review their respective state legislature websites.)

Consequences of Workplace Violence

Workplace violence extracts a significant toll on everyone involved. This includes physical, emotional, and mental effects on the individual, such as:

  • Physical injury (minor to severe disability)
  • Psychological trauma (short- and long-term)
  • Emotional distress/anxiety
  • Lowered self-esteem
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder
  • Death by suicide
  • Chronic stress-related illness
  • Intent to leave the job
  • Feelings of incompetence, guilt, powerlessness
  • Fear of returning to work
  • Fear of criticism by supervisors
  • Loss of confidence in ability
  • Changes in relationships with coworkers
  • Secondary impact on personal life (daily activities, emotional issues, economic issues)
    (AAETS, 2020; USDOL, n.d.)

Negative consequences for institutions can include:

  • Decreased employee productivity
  • Low employee morale
  • Increased job stress
  • Increased absenteeism and lost work days
  • Restricted or modified duty (secondary to injury)
  • Increased employee turnover
  • Difficulties retaining employees
  • Recruitment challenges
  • Distrust of management
  • Financial loss resulting from insurance claims
  • Legal expenses due to consequences of workplace violence
  • Property damage
  • Need for increased security measures
  • Compromised patient care and safety
  • Diminished public image
    (Excel Medical, 2022; USDOL, n.d.)
COSTS OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Workplace violence costs can have a significant impact on the organization as well as its employees. For example, as much as $727 million worth of productivity is lost, and employee attrition increases as much as 10% immediately following a violent incident (Doherty, 2021).

After workplace violence occurs, many variables affect costs. The following factors must be considered when calculating monetary costs of workplace violence:

  • Debriefing and follow-up physical and mental health services for victims and witnesses of workplace violence. These services vary in cost but could easily reach millions of dollars.
  • Depending on the severity and scope of the violence, the workplace may need to be closed for indefinite periods of time. Estimated daily revenues may be calculated and serve as a general estimate of money lost.
  • Healthcare insurance premiums will increase if/when physical and mental health needs are met.
    (Sheely, 2019)