VIOLENCE IN THE

WORKPLACE

CRIME IN THE WORKPLACE: AN OVERVIEW

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported
that the number of workplace homicides in
2005 was higher than in 2004.

564 workplace homicides 2005

559 workplace homicides 2004

According to BLS, assaults and violent acts

accounted for 14% of the total fatalities in 2005.
And 10% of these included homicides.

Women had a higher

percentage of fatal injuries
resulting from highway
accidents and homicides than
men.

Men had a higher percentage

of fatal work injuries from
falls & from contact with
objects and equipment.

Highway Incidents

Homicides

Falls

Struck by Object

Highway Incidents

Homicides

Falls

Struck by Object

Highway Incidents

Homicides

Falls

Struck by Object

CATEGORIES OF WORKPLACE
VIOLENCE

1. Violence committed by criminals who enter to commit robbery

or another crime and who have no connection with the
company.
2. Violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients,
etc., for whom an organization provides service;
3. Violence against co-workers, supervisors or managers by a
present or former employee
4. Violence committed in the workplace by someone who is a
personally involved with an employee such as an abusive
spouse, domestic partner, boyfriend or girlfriend, etc.

Robbery is the prime

motivator for the
majority of workplace
homicides.
Nearly of all homicide
victims were employed
in retail establishments
and grocery stores.

Employer Response

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA)

requires the employers to provide a safe and healthful working
environment for their employees.

Employer Requirements

The Secretary of Labor has directed OSHA to study the issue

of workplace violence. To determine why more than 8,000
workers have been killed since 1980
OSHA has issued safety and security guidelines for health
care and community services workers.