Violence in the Workplace

Workplace Violence

Each year millions of employees are victimized with workplace violence. Even though there are laws in place, it is not enough to deter the problem. Violence of any kind should not be tolerated (Taylor). Offenders should be punished at the first incidence, whether it is verbal abuse, physical abuse, or emotional abuse.

Workplace violence could be deterred by not accepting violence, regardless of the reasons behind it. There is no acceptable excuse for violence of any kind. Violence causes emotional damage, even if there is no physical abuse. Name calling, degrading a person's work or well-being, or not giving credit where credit is due is emotional damage inflicted on the victim. Employees do not have to accept unacceptable behavior, regardless of who it comes from. Whether it is from a customer, another employee, or even the boss, violence is unacceptable.

Some people do not report violence because of fear of repercussions, they need the job and are afraid of getting terminated, or the fear that management would not support them in the decision. It is the management's responsibility to maintain a well written zero tolerance policy, enforce the policy, and take immediate action of investigation and handling the situation as each situation arises. It is also the management's responsibility to address concerns that violence arises from. Employee concerns where violence can occur are serious and should be treated that way.

Employees should take the responsibility to report each incidence regardless of how minor it is felt to be. Minor offenses can lead to major offenses, even to the point of murder. Violence comes in the forms of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse as well as harassment. Police and other authorities should be called as necessary to handle the situation. Employees should not have to rely just on the management to handle a situation.

Some employees feel they have to accept offensive behavior if the person is mentally ill, etc. Offensive behavior should not be accepted period and the employee should not be expected to accept offensive behavior. Mentally ill persons should be handled appropriately by people trained to handle them. If the employee is trained to do so, other parties should be called to handle the situation, or at least help the employee, appropriately for the employee where no danger comes about.

Employees, who are victims of violence in the workplace, should be given the help they need. Whether the help needed is medical attention, counseling, or otherwise. Violence causes severe emotional damage and if help is not provided, it can affect the victim for life. Emotional damage tears down the person's well-being, causes depression, and leaves the victim feeling helpless or that they are worthless.