Latest figures suggest that four fatalities a year - and nearly three major injuries a day - are caused by violence at work. So the TUC has teamed up with the Confederation of British Industry and the Partnership of Public Employers to launch joint guidance on preventing workplace harassment and violence, following an agreement between the EU social partners which was signed in 2007.
The guidance sets out the legal obligations of employers and encourages employers and unions to reach agreement on how to tackle the problems of harassment of all types, including third-party violence against workers (a major issue in the UK). It also draws together in one place for the first time information on the key relevant pieces of legislation and support available in the UK.
The European agreement recognises that harassment and violence can:
- Be physical,psychological and/or sexual
Be one off incidents or more systematic patterns of behaviour
Be amongst colleagues, between superiors and subordinates or by third parties such as clients, customers, patients, pupils, etc
Range from minor cases of disrespect to more serious acts, including criminal offences, which require the intervention of public authorities.
According to the 2006/07 British Crime Survey (BCS), there were an estimated 684,000 workplace incidents, comprising 288,000 assaults and 397,000 threats of violence. While harassment and violence can potentially affect any workplace and any worker, certain groups and sectors can be more at risk.
The sectors identified as most at risk in the UK are those where third party harassment and violence are more likely. According to the BCS, respondents in the protective service occupations (for example police officers) were most at risk of violence at work. But high rates were also shown, for example, for workers in the transport, health, retail and leisure sectors.
To download a copy of the guide, go to: www.workplaceharassment.org.uk/