Stressors and Aspects of Work That Can Increase the Risk of Workplace Violence

Stressors

Most incidents of workplace violence do not have a singular cause, but instead result from multiple ongoing events both in and outside of the workplace. It is important to remember that there is a great deal of variability within a work force. People deal with stress differently, and while one stressor may contribute to one person carrying out an act of workplace violence, the same stressor may have little or no effect on a different person. The following stressors can increase the risk of workplace violence:

• Personal-life events – any significant changes, perceived positively or negatively, that can result in an increase in stress in the individual’s life (e.g. marriage, divorce, illness, or significant financial changes).
• Work-life events – changes in work that can result in stress (e.g. new job or promotion, changing jobs, loss of job, changes in one’s role or responsibilities at work).
• Difficult inter-office relationships – can result from personality differences or conflicts between two or more people within the office area, including relationships between supervisors and employees, or between peers. Some people are quicker to anger or take offense than others. Similarly, some people are more likely to react in an openly hostile manner. Being sensitive to the characteristics of co-workers can go a long way to promoting healthy and functional inter-office relationships.
• Feeling as though one has been treated unfairly – the perception of having been treated unfairly, resulting in feelings of excessive frustration or anger. This may involve the daily duties and responsibilities in one’s job, or be the result of unique workplace situations.
• Work climate – working during periods of intense organizational change (e.g. mergers, downsizing, strikes).

Stressors that can increase the risk of workplace violence differ from factors that contribute to workplace violence. Instead of recognizing, preventing, and resolving stressors they require managers and supervisors to be aware of them and manage them on an ongoing basis.

Aspects of Work

Workplace violence can happen to anyone, but certain tasks, processes, and interactions, can put employees at an increased risk of workplace violence. Examples include:

• working with the public
• handling money or valuables
• carrying out inspection or enforcement duties
• providing service, care, or advice
• working alone, in small numbers, or in isolated or low traffic areas
• working in community-based settings
• having a mobile workplace

Additionally, the risk of workplace violence may be greater at certain times of the day, night or year. For example:

• peak periods of work
• late hours of the night or early hours of the morning
• tax return season
• overdue utility bill cut-off dates
• during the holidays
• pay days
• report cards or parent interviews
• performance appraisals