In the Workplace
Keep your workplace healthy by eliminating workplace bullying and other forms of workplace violence
The majority of our lives are spent in the workplace. A safe workplace nurtures respect, creativity, allegiance, commitment and productivity. An unsafe workplace place builds distrust, fear, conflict and limited productivity.
In Canada, a survey of people’s reported experiences of violence showed:
- 17% occurred in the workplace and included sexual assault, robbery and/or physical assault
- 38% of violent incidents were allegedly perpetrated by a current or former co-worker, or other work-related contacts including patients, clients or customers.
- People who were targeted by workplace bullying reported several emotional impacts, including feeling angry (21%); upset, confused or frustrated (20%); and afraid (15%).
Workplace violence does not only happen on-site; it can also occur at:
- Off-site business-related functions such as trade shows, conferences, or large meetings
- Work-related social events such as holiday gatherings or team-building activities
- Home—such as clients’ homes or even your own home (e.g., receiving a threatening phone call from a former co-worker).
To keep our workplaces free of violence, both employers and personnel have key roles to play.
Further Information
Download Preventing workplace violence—Information for PERSONNEL
Download Preventing workplace violence—Information for EMPLOYERS
Download information on Ten Steps to Creating Safe Environments, a 3-hour online educational program that offers organizations concrete action steps to reduce the risk of violence and increase protection.
Download information on Respect in the Workplace, a 90-minute online educational program empowering all employees to understand, recognize and deal with harmful workplace behaviours.
Violence Prevention in the Work Place (from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada/Labour)
Violence in the Workplace (from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)