Workplace Violence 1
Running head: WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
Violence in the Workplace: A Continuing Issue
R. Bryan Kennedy, Athens State University
Brenda Harper, Athens State University
Sam Campbell, Athens State University
Susan D. Herring, Athens State University
Linda Shonesy, Athens State University
Athens State University
300 North Beaty Street
Athens, AL 35611
Address questions or comments to:
Bryan Kennedy
(256) 233-8259
bkennedy@vallnet.com
Abstract
This paper presents statistical information collected on violence in the workplace from a
study conducted at Athens State University during 2005-2006. The results of the ASU
survey are compared to statistical data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics National
Crime Victimization Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Workplace Violence 2
Violence in the Workplace: A Continuing Issue
Violence in the workplace is a serious safety and health issue that we cannot
ignore any longer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal
Occupational Injuries (CFOI), there were 551 workplace homicides in 2004 in the United
States, out of a total of 5,703 fatal work injuries (U.S. Department of Labor Occupational
Safety & Health Administration, 2005). Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), defines workplace violence as “ Violence or the threat of violence against
workers. It can occur at or outside the workplace and can range form threats and verbal
abuse to physical assault and homicide” (OSHA Fact Sheet, 2007).
In 1986, a postal worker killed 14 of his fellow co-workers in Oklahoma City, this
incident along with multiple others, brought workplace violence to the forefront of the
American Public. From this incident and other subsequent incidents involving postal
workers and homicide, the phrase “going postal” entered the American lexicon and a
myth was created (U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2004; Beck & Schouten, 2000;
Temple, 2000).
“Prior to 1980 such terms as ‘violence in the workplace’ and ‘occupational
homicide’ did not exist” (Muchinsky, 2000, p. 296). This is not to say that workplace
violence or occupational homicide were non-existent until the 80’s; however, the severity
of the problem was not realized by the public until media coverage of the Oklahoma City
and other events brought it to the public’s attention. This awareness brought forth a
demand for research on violence in the workplace to provide the government and
organizations with information to prevent and deal with the problem. This demand for
information and solutions continues today (Griffin & O’Leary-Kelly, 2004; U.S. Federal
Bureau of Investigation, 2004; Allen, 2003; Lipscomb, Silverstein, Slavin, Cody, &
Jenkins, 2002).
Some studies conclude that workplace violence is increasing in severity (Kelleher,
1996 as cited in Muchinsky, 2000). Other studies find that the increases are occurring in
some sectors or areas while violence is decreasing overall (Lipscomb et al., 2002;
Gilmore, 2006), and still others conclude that workplace violence is decreasing (Duhart,
2001; Beck & Schouten, 2000).
The research study discussed here was conducted to examine these trends by
investigating the prevalence of workplace violence experience among a selected
population and comparing the data gathered through this survey with data from the
Bureau of Justice Statistics National Crime Victimization Survey and the Bureau of
Labor Statistics.
Study Methodology
The authors developed a short survey instrument designed to gather data on the
prevalence of individual experiences of workplace violence. The survey asked
participants to identify whether they had seen or experienced any of the following in their
place of work over the past three to five years:
 violence involving a deadly weapon (knife, gun, etc.)
 violence involving physical force (hitting, shoving, etc.)
 verbal violence or abuse (threats, yelling, harassment, etc.)
 deliberate damage to company property or equipment
Workplace Violence 3
From 2005-06 academic year, students in selected business classes at Athens State
University completed the survey. The survey was distributed following a class lecture
and discussion regarding workplace violence. Students were divided into groups for
group/individual thought and discussion, and then asked to complete the survey form.
Statistical Findings
A total of 335 students responded to the survey. Of these, 14.6% had witnessed
violence involving a deadly weapon. Over one-quarter of the respondents (27.5%) had
witnessed instances of physical violence not involving a deadly weapon. Just over half
(54%) had witnessed instances of harassment, threats, yelling, or other verbal abuse; and
23.6% witnessed instances of deliberate damage to company equipment. The results are
summarized in Table 1.
Total No.
335
49
Total %
100%
14.6%
Number of Respondents
Violence with
Deadly Weapons Present
Physical Violence
92
27.5%
(No Deadly Weapons Present)
Harassment, Threats, Yelling,
181
54.0%
or other Verbal Abuse
Damage to Company Property or
79
23.6%
Equipment
Table 1. Athens State University Workplace Violence Survey Breakdown
Comparison with National Data
The Athens State utilized a convenience sample and the questions do not exactly
replicate those of other reliable surveys, making a side-by-side comparison difficult.
However, the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) utilizes two categories that
invite comparison: aggravated assault, which is comparable with violence with a deadly
weapon; and simple assault, which is comparable to physical violence and verbal abuse.
See Figure 1 for a breakdown of the NCVS results (Duhart, 2001). In the first
comparison, 14.6% of Athens State respondents had witnessed violence involving a
deadly weapon, as compared with 18.6% nationwide who experienced aggravated
assault. Considering the category of simple assault, 27.5% of the Athens State
respondents had witnessed or experienced physical violence and 54% had witnessed or
experienced verbal abuse, compared with 75.2% who experienced simple assault
nationwide. It should be noted that the overall violent crime rate in Alabama falls slightly
below the national average, with 2004 figures showing a rate of 426.6 compared with the
national average of 465.5 (U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Crime
trends).
Workplace Violence 4
Homicide,Rape,
Robbery, 6.2%
Aggravated
Assault, 18.6%
Simple Assault,
75.2%
Figure 1. Breakdown of Types of Violence from the
National Crime Victimization Survey, 2001.
The survey category dealing with damage to company equipment or property
cannot be compared to other statistics due to a lack of available information on the
subject. Other than a statement in a special report from the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (2004), which states that the loss from workplace violence to U.S.
businesses is in the billions, no statistical data could be found. This indicates a need for
further research into the destruction of company property and equipment resulting from
workplace violence to establish the extent and severity of economic loss to American
industry and business.
In a special Bureau of Labor Statistics report released in 1998, Greg Warchol
stated that from 1992-1996 there were a yearly average of 2 million incidents of
workplace violence with a yearly average of 1.5 million simple assaults
(www.ojp.usdoj.gov.). In a second special report released in 2001, Detis T. Duhart stated
that, from 1993-1999, the yearly averages were 1.7 million incidents of workplace
violence and 1.3 million simple assaults (Duhart, 2001). Duhart also stated that
workplace violence decreased by 44% while all violent crime in the U.S. decreased by
40% over the same period.
In viewing information from the Bureau of Justice Statistics on crime
victimization between 1996 and 2003, statistics indicate that the percentage of workplace
victimizations has remained fairly constant, ranging from a high of 16.8% in 1996 to a
low of 14.7% in 2003. At the same time, the total number of violent crimes decreased
from a high of 8.3 million in 1996 to a low of 4.923 million in 2002 with a slight increase
to 4.949 million in 2003 (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 20022005). This indicates an overall continued fall in the total number of workplace violence
incidents.
Policies, Procedures and Protection
In recognizing workplace violence as a problem many scholars, organizations,
associations, and institutions state that the key to finding solutions to this problem lies in
developing, implementing, and continuously improving policies and procedures for
prevention of and managing workplace violence (Montgomery & Cook, 2005; Griffin &
O’Leary-Kelly, 2004; U.S. FBI, 2004; DelBel, 2003; U.S. OSHA, 2002; Lipscomb et al.,
Workplace Violence 5
2002; Smith, 2002; Beck & Schouten, 2000; Denenburg & Braverman, 1999; VandenBos
& Bulatao, 1996). The Athens State study indicated that a majority of respondents’
employers – 81% -- had written policies on workplace violence. According to Sarah J.
Smith, such policies should include “the means to identify potential for violence;
procedures to prevent the occurrence of violence; and, in the event that prevention fails,
plans to respond to the incident and minimize further damage” (2002, p. 36).
What can employers do to help protect their employees? According to OSHA,
(2007), “the best protection employers can offer is to establish a zero-tolerance policy
toward workplace violence against or by their employees”.
 Provide safety education for employees so they know what conduct is not
acceptable, what to do if they witness or are subjected to workplace violence, and
how to protect themselves.
 Secure the workplace. Where appropriate to the business, install video
surveillance, extra lighting, and alarm systems and minimize access by outsiders
through identification badges, electronic keys, and guards.
 Provide drop safes to limit the amount of cash on hand. Keep a minimal amount
of cash in registers during evenings and late night hours.
 Equip field staff with cellular phones and hand-held alarms or noise devices, and
require them to prepare a daily work plan and keep a contact person informed of
their location throughout the day. Keep employer provided vehicles properly
maintained.
 Instruct employees not to enter any location where they feel unsafe. Introduce a
“buddy system” or provide an escort service or police assistance in potentially
dangerous situations or at night.
 Develop policies and procedures covering visits by home health-care providers.
Address the conduct of home visits, the presence of others in the home during visits,
and the worker’s right to refuse to provide services in a clearly hazardous situation.
In addition, as Smith points out (2002), workplace violence policies and procedures can
only be effective when they are shared with all employees and implemented consistently,
fairly, and promptly.
Conclusion
The study conducted at Athens State, in which the majority of respondents
reported experiencing some level of violence in their work environment, illustrates the
continuing prevalence of workplace violence. Regardless of whether the national trend is
increasing or decreasing, the number of violent incidents, the cost to individuals and
businesses, and the lack of a safe and healthy work environment are not, and should not
be, acceptable to the American public. According to the Department of Labor, “The
Occupational Health and Safety Act’s (OSH Act) General Duty Clause requires
employers to provide a safe and healthful workplace for all workers covered by the OSH
ACT” (U.S. OSHA, 2002). All employers should seek to provide a similar, safe
environment for all employees. Our intent of this paper was and is to enlighten the public
of an awareness of workplace violence and prayerfully become involved in preventive
measurements.
Workplace Violence 6
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