Workplace Violence In The Workplace Essay

Workplace violence is violence or the threat of violence against workers. It can occur at or outside the workplace and can range from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and homicide, one of the leading causes of job-related deaths. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that over 2 million American workers are victims of workplace violence each year. OSHA describes workers who provide services, work in remote or high crime areas, and those who work shift hours and/or have a great deal of contact with the public as employees who are at a higher risk to encounter violence in the workplace. Nursing has been considered the primary occupation at risk for lateral violence (Carter, 1999). One of the best protections healthcare employers can offer their workers is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence. The policy should cover all workers, patients, clients, visitors, contractors, and anyone
Workplace violence has a negative effect in the workplace. Nurses are effected physically and emotionally by the display of this type of violence toward them. Some of the results of workplace violence include sleep disorders, poor self esteem, hypertension, eating disorders, nervous conditions, low morale, apathy, depression, impaired personal relationships, removal of self from the workplace and most tragically, suicide. It is imperative these warning signs are recognized early before becoming incapacitating.
To help prevent lateral violence in nursing, a culture of safety is needed to create and sustain an environment where team members are encouraged to speak up to leaders and peers. Culture of safety is characterized by open and respectful communication among all members of the healthcare team in order to provide safe patient care. It is a culture that supports organizational commitment to continually seeking to improve safety (Institute of Medicine,