Workplace Violence Rises Post-Pandemic

Post-pandemic life in the United States has brought new challenges to the workplace, with violence emerging as a pressing issue requiring urgent attention. The latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Workplace Violence report documented 57,610 nonfatal cases from 2021-2022. Additionally, the number of fatal injuries due to workplace homicides increased by 8.9 percent from 2021 to 2022.

Workplace violence is defined as physical assault, verbal abuse, harassment and even death. The report categorizes non-fatal cases of workplace violence requiring days away from work, job restriction, or transfer, which is known as DART (Domestic Abuse, Recovering Together).

Healthcare and Education

Healthcare and Education experienced the highest incidence rate of DART cases per 10,000 full-time workers due to intentional injury at 14.2 percent for Healthcare and 8.4 percent for Education.

Workplace violence in the healthcare sector since the pandemic has increased significantly. For example, a report by the American Hospital Association indicates 44 percent of nurses experienced physical violence and 68 percent faced verbal abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic, however a survey by National Nurses United revealed more than a 100 percent increase in workplace violence incidents compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Violence and aggression against educators also grew post-pandemic according to research published by the American Psychological Association (APA) of surveys between 12 to 15,000 educators from 2020 through 2022.

The APA research found incidents of verbal harassment and threatening behavior towards teachers from students rose from 33 percent during the pandemic to 80 percent post-pandemic.

Similarly, physical violent incidents increased from 14 percent during the pandemic to 56 percent after the pandemic restrictions were lifted.

Hospitality

Even Accommodation and Food Services had an incidence rate of 1.4 percent DART cases per 10,000 full-time workers due to intentional injury from 2021-2022.

Other Areas

The COVID 19 pandemic really stressed people out and is showing up in other areas as well including increased property crimes like motor vehicle theft and traffic deaths which are still severe in some cities.

What is behind the continued rise of violence in sectors of our society?

• People are more stressed out with increasing pressures at work and home brought about by the pandemic.
• Many people were negatively affected by the pandemic and ended up facing additional economic pressure resulting from inflation.
• It is harder to get affordable treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues than it was in the past and harder to find qualified mental health and substance abuse practitioners.
• Companies and organizations have not invested enough in security protocols, training, and panic systems.

The Costs of Workplace Violence

The costs are clear for companies who do not address workplace violence head on.

Of the documented nonfatal cases of workplace violence mentioned in the report above, 71.6 percent (41,270 cases) resulted in at least one day away from work with a median of 7 days away.

The National Nurses United survey indicated approximately 37.2 percent of healthcare workers have considered leaving their profession due to workplace violence.

The same research published by the APA found the rate of teachers wanting to resign or transfer rose 57 percent after the pandemic.

Addressing Workplace Violence

Addressing these issues at work involves implementing comprehensive workplace violence prevention programs, improving mental health support, fostering a positive work culture, and installing staff protection systems.

• Make sure your employees know your company is concerned about their safety and effectively communicate this to them via training, literature, and online resources.
• Employees should know how they can get workplace compensation, healthcare, mental health resources, employee assistance and support for any workplace violence incidents.
• Create an Engagement Committee to schedule fun activities for employees that foster a positive working environment.
• Research and install staff protection systems such as Help Alert with mobile panic buttons to give employees peace of mind.

Many companies require their employees to wear a badge, so the new RFT Help Alert® Badge is the perfect wireless, 24/7 mobile staff protection solution. Help Alert looks like a badge, but it is way more.

The badge has proprietary radio frequency technology inside that allows an employee to push a button discreetly for help, and haptic (vibration) feedback that lets the staff member know the alert was sent and acknowledged.

The badge allows staff to call for help without alarming others or raising suspicion, making it an ideal solution for sensitive environments like hospitals, schools, and hotels.

Conclusion

With workplace violence showing no signs of slowing down, it’s imperative companies take steps now to reduce violence, costs and employee turnover, as well as support affected employees, create a positive work environment and protect employees by installing staff protection systems with panic buttons.