Tennager student with fear at his school (selective focus with shallow DOF)

Workplace Violence Prevention

Workplace violence encompasses any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. This can range from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can impact and involve employees, clients, customers, and visitors.

Stay informed with SHRM’s latest news and resources on recognizing and mitigating these risks.

Latest News

U.S. Department of Labor headquarters in Washington, D.C.
News
Health Care Employers Should Prepare for OSHA to Release Proposed Workplace Violence Rule

Federal workplace safety officials plan to release a proposed rule later this year aimed at preventing workplace violence in the health care industry.

A distraught worker with hands to her head at her computer
News
Domestic Violence Still Seen in Workplace, Despite Supreme Court Ruling

A U.S. Supreme Court decision has affirmed that it is unlawful for a person subject to a domestic violence restraining order to have firearms, but preventing domestic abuse from spreading into the workplace remains a challenge for HR professionals.

Court Report
Gun Ownership Rights Overridden by State Safety Protections on Private Property

The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld employer rights in a recent case, determining that state and federal safety protections on private property can override an employee’s right to store firearms in their vehicle while at work.

Member Resources

Express Requests
Texas Mandates Violence Prevention Plans for Healthcare Settings (9/1/24)

The state of Texas that has developed a workplace violence prevention standard for healthcare settings.

Toolkit
Understanding Workplace Violence Prevention and Response

This toolkit provides information for employers on preparing for and responding to workplace violence incidents.

Q&A
How should an employer respond when an employee makes suicidal statements?

Suicide threats should always be taken seriously. The human resource professional or the employee's supervisor may be the first person to identify a potentially suicidal employee, so it is critical to recognize the warning signs and encourage at-risk e...

Q&A
Violence: Order of Protection: How do we handle a situation when a married couple who works together have filed for divorce and one spouse has an order of protection against the other spouse?

This Q&A discusses protection orders in the workplace.

Q&A
Can an employer prohibit employees from having guns in their cars while at work?

Learn when an employer can enforce a company policy or rule that requires employees to not have guns in their cars while the cars are parked at work.

Q&A
How do we help an employee we suspect is the victim of domestic violence?

Victims of domestic violence often don't tell their supervisors or HR professionals that they are being abused out of fear or shame. If abuse is suspected, watch for these warning signs.

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