What is workplace violence and harassment?
Workplace violence isn’t just physical assault or attacks. It also includes threatening behaviour, verbal or written threats, harassment and verbal abuse. It can happen once, or be part of a pattern.
All workers can experience violence and harassment on the job, but there are many factors – such as working with the public, with money, where alcohol is served, or in isolation – that leave some workers more at risk.
Perpetrators can be clients, co-workers, supervisors or members of the public. Violence and harassment can happen in the traditional workplace, or off-site at work-related events.
Workers experiencing domestic violence often experience harassment, stalking and violence from abusers when they’re at work. This can put co-workers and others in the workplace at risk too.