2006/07 HSE figures for workplace Violence

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Title – 2006/07 HSE figures for workplace Violence
Source – HSE
Date – 30th July 2008

When you analyse the latest HSE figures for Workplace Violence you note that although there has been a slight decrease over last year, the statistics remain broadly flat since 2000.

The number of deaths is however at its highest level with 4 recorded in the year; a staggering 932 ‘Major’ injuries; and 5468 reported through RIDDOR where victims were off work for over 3 days.

As with all such statistics it is often what goes unreported that generates the real story. Undoubtedly these figures already present a worrying picture of work related violence in the UK, but no one is in any doubt of the additional cost of the unreported incidents that contribute to long term work related stress, lack of productivity and absenteeism.

Many working environments are by their very nature subject to aggression and violence, the increasingly worrying trend that concerns me is the attitude that abuse, aggression and violence should be something employees accept.

Understanding workplace violence is the first step in implementing measures to manage and resolve it; before you can understand it you have to accept that it is present in your workplace.

Workplace violence starts with abuse and harassment which is often subtle and difficult to identify unless employees bring it to the attention of managers and there can be a reluctance in coming forward as it might be perceived as a sign of weakness and therefore hinder progression. In other environments it manifests itself in a more obvious form of aggressive or even violent behaviour. This may be more recognisable but it can make employers more reticent to admit to, as it paints a very poor image of a business when ‘image’ is often a key marketing tool.

Apart from the obvious physical symptoms and injuries that are the result of workplace violence in all its forms, the more ‘expensive’ consequence is the unseen cost to business in employee retention, productivity, increased absenteeism, quality of work, levels of service they offer to your customers and co-operation between colleagues and management. Every proactive and successful business knows that maintaining staff morale is one of the keys to running a successful business. Can you really believe that the best employees will remain in your business if they feel undervalued, by their employer ignoring their wellbeing by reacting to workplace violence rather than proactively promoting ways of resolving it before it starts?

At Beyond The Blue, we provide solution to workplace violence in the many different sectors in which it presents itself. There are very few employees who are customer facing who have not experienced workplace violence in one form or another at some point and who would not benefit from our unique approach to resolving it. Our Conflict Management and Resolution Training is developed specifically to represent the working environment your employees face and therefore provides a more productive learning experience.

Please visit our website please visit at www.btbl.co.uk