Tackling violence and aggression in the workplace

A new resource for employers has been developed to help reduce violence and aggression in the workplace. The National Occupational Standards in managing work-related violence can be used by employers to draw up policies on managing work-related violence and also provide a framework for managers and staff to assess training needs.

The Standards are aimed at a range of different occupational and management roles. Among the topics they cover are how to investigate a violent incident in the workplace, developing procedures to control risks to health and safety, and making sure any actions contribute to a safe working environment.

According to the British Crime Survey there are 1.3 million incidents of work-related violence a year. These incidents can result in physical injuries or anxiety and stress for the people affected. They also have serious consequences for employers who have to deal with the resulting poor staff morale, high absenteeism, recruitment and staff-turnover problems, and poor business image.

The HSE has funded the development of the Standards by the Employment National Training Organzation as part of the HSC’s three-year programme which has a target to cut incidents of violence at work by 10% by the end of 2003.