About Workplace Violence
Workplace violence is the act or threat of violence. It ranges from verbal abuse to physical assaults directed toward people at work or on duty. Violence can occur in any workplace and among any type of worker.
The impact of workplace violence can range from psychological issues to physical injury, or even death.
The risk for fatal violence is greater for workers in sales, protective services, and transportation. The risk for nonfatal violence resulting in days away from work is greatest for healthcare and social assistance workers.
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Quick facts and stats
Injuries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20,050 workers in the private industry experienced trauma from nonfatal workplace violence in 2020. These incidents required days away from work. 1
Of those victims who experienced trauma from workplace violence:
- 73% were female
- 62% were aged 25-54
- 76% worked in the healthcare and social assistance industry
- 22% required 31 or more days away from work to recover
- 22% involved 3-5 days away from work
Deaths
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 392 U.S. workers died from workplace homicide in 2020. 2
Of those victims who died from homicide:
- 81% were men
- 44% were aged 25-44
- 28% were Black
- 18% were Hispanic
- 30% performed retail-related tasks (e.g., waiting on customers)
Programs and initiatives
NIOSH funds, conducts, and publishes research focused on risk factors and prevention strategies for workplace violence.
Employers, occupational safety and health professionals, and workers can use the following resources to reduce occupational violence.
Resources
From NIOSH
General
- Indicators of Workplace Violence, 2019 NIOSH Publication No. 2022-124
- Basic dos and don’ts for employees to prevent workplace violence NIOSH Infographic (2020)
- Violence on the Job NIOSH Publication No. 2004-100D
Healthcare
- Online Workplace Violence Prevention Course for Nurses NIOSH Publication No. 2013-155
- Emergency Medical Services Workers: How Employers Can Prevent Injuries and Exposures NIOSH Publication No. 2017-194
- Violence: Occupational Hazards in Hospitals NIOSH Publication No. 2002-101 En español
Retail
- Help for the Holidays: Preventing Fatigue, Violence, and Stress in Retail NIOSH Blog: December, 2023
- Reducing Workplace Violence in Gasoline Stations and Convenience Stores NIOSH Publication No. 2023-121
Taxi
- NIOSH Fast Facts Taxi Drivers How to Prevent Robbery and Violence NIOSH Publication No. 2020-100 Revised
Journal articles
- Trends in workplace homicides in the U.S., 1994–2021: An end to years of decline American Journal of Industrial Medicine: April, 2024 / 67(6):562-571
- Workplace violence against healthcare workers using nationally representative estimates of emergency department data, 2015-2017 American Journal of Industrial Medicine: April, 2023 / 66(4):333-338
- Occurrences of workplace violence related to the COVID-19 pandemic, United States, March 2020 to August 2021 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: November, 2022 / 19(21):14387
- Workplace violence and the mental health of public health workers during COVID-19 American Journal of Preventive Medicine: March, 2023 / 64(3):315-325
- Workplace violence during the COVID-19 pandemic: March-October, 2020, United States Journal of Safety Research: September 22, 2022 / 82:376-384
- Symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal ideation among state, tribal, local, and territorial public health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic — United States, March–April 2021 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: July 2, 2021 / 70(26):947-952
- Impact of a crime prevention ordinance for small retail establishments American Journal of Industrial Medicine: June 2021 / 64(6):488-495
More on workplace violence
NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable database of occupational safety and health resources supported in whole or in part by NIOSH. Use these recommended search terms: Homicide, Violence, Aggression, Bullying, Harassment, Mistreatment.
