Workplace Violence and Bullying

September 2020 Safety Topic

Workplace violence is the act or threat of violence, ranging from verbal abuse to physical assaults directed toward persons at work or on duty. It may include employees, customers, or visitors.

There are four types of Workplace Violence according to NIOSH:

  • Criminal Intent-The perpetrator has no legitimate relationship to the business or its employees, and is usually committing a crime in conjunction with the violence.
  • Customer/Client-A current or previous relationship with a business as a customer, client, patient, or student turns to violence to express frustration.
  • Worker on Worker- A disgruntled employee or former employee who becomes violent or threatens other employees.
  • Personal Relationship- The perpetrator seeks out their intended victim at their place of work.

Examples of Workplace Bullying:

  • Verbal Abuse
  • Property Damage
  • Intimidation
  • Physical Assault
  • Harassment
  • Psychological Trauma

Workplace violence and bullying are a threat to the health and safety of an organization. Victims may suffer emotional and physical distress, ultimately impacting their performance at work. It is important to not tolerate workplace violence and bullying, and to always look for any signs of it. Any complaint of it should be taken seriously and investigated promptly.

For more information or questions about workplace accident reporting, please speak with your supervisor or contact a Campus Life Safety and Regulatory Compliance team member.