Managing the effects of violence on employees in your workplace
One of the underpinning principles of health and safety legislation is that people should not be harmed while they are at work. In theory employers have responsibility for ensuring workplaces are among the safest places on earth, but in reality there are numerous ways in which harm can occur. Perhaps the most insidious issue to grapple with is that of workplace violence.
Ideally, the safety protections and protocols workplaces have in place to mitigate against physical harm should save the day when staff are confronted with physical threat – whether it be enraged customers, an armed robber, conflict between colleagues that escalates or even an unhappy spouse.
The effect of a one-off act of violence will last beyond the incident itself as staff are faced with going back to that environment day after day, with all the visual and contextual reminders of how the relative sanctity of their workplace has been violated. It can be worse still for employees who have been exposed to domestic abuse. The workplace may have been the only place left where they feel safe!
The New Zealand Medical Journal* has published recent research examining the effects of exposure to violence. Reporting specifically on results among women, the study suggests that as many as 33% of women have experienced an act of physical domestic violence against them in their lifetime. For over 20% of women, the violence is described as severe.
The study shows that women who experience severe physical violence are nearly four times more likely to report emotional distress, and almost eight times as likely to have attempted suicide as the general population. All of these factors form part of the complex web of known and unknown experiences and vulnerabilities a manager needs to cater to in the care of their staff.
A significant percentage of people at work could already be classed as vulnerable and yet most workplaces fail to identify the issue, let alone recognize the potential time bomb that is metaphorically ticking away. The social cost of domestic violence becomes a direct workplace cost when, as a result of exposure to workplace violence, a staff member is rendered mentally unfit for work - a serious harm event will have occurred and sensitive, professional intervention is most likely needed.
Consider the risks in your workplace. Are your staff on the frontline of customer service? Is there money on the premises? Do members of the public have easy access? What percentage of your staff are female? How safe are your people?
Real preparedness will require the development of contingency plans that give recognition to workplace vulnerabilities, provides training, defense mechanisms and an appropriate post incident response strategy.
Seed has a well developed, national, trauma response and consultancy service. Our services are always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for all our clients by calling 0508 664 981. If you're not a Seed client, but find your team in need of some support, contact us anyway.
We can work out a one-off arrangement with you. We can get to you fast wherever you are and we will ensure your staff receive the support they need.
The Team at Seed - April 2009.
*Fanslow, Janet L.; Robinson, Elizabeth. (2004). Violence against women in New Zealand : prevalence and health consequences. New Zealand Medical Journal 117(1206) 2004.
