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FIELD WORK – Training: Are workers briefed about the area in which they will be working (gang colors, neighborhood culture, language, drug activity, etc.)? WORKPLACE VIOLENCE Violence in the workplace has become an epidemic. Not only is workplace violence increasingly common in workplaces where violence is expected -- for example, corrections, law enforcement and mental health -- but in almost every occupation that deals with the public. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, homicides were the second leading cause of death in the workplace in 1992, accounting for 17 percent of all workplace deaths. "Worker-onworker" violence makes up 4 percent of all workplace homicides; the rest are the result of robberies, or assaults by residents, patients or customers against workers. Homicide was the leading cause of traumatic workplace death among women in the United States from 1980 to 1989. Forty-one percent of women's workplace deaths were the result of homicide, compared with 10 percent among men. Although women account for only 7 percent of all worker fatalities, they were the victims in 17 percent of reported workplace homicides. Violence-related fatalities are only the tip of the iceberg. According to the Department of Justice, one million individuals become victims of violent crime each year while working or on duty. A half million employees miss 1.8 million days of work each year, resulting in more than $55 million in lost wages, not including days covered by sick and annual leave. Workplace violence accounts for 16 percent of the more than 6.5 million acts of violence experienced by individuals age 12 and over. The Department of Justice also reports that government employees have a higher rate of violence than private sector workers. Government employees make up 18 percent of the U.S. workforce, but make up 30 percent of the victims of violence. Injuries and deaths related to workplace violence should no longer be tolerated. Most incidents are predictable, most are preventable. And like any other workplace hazard, it is the responsibility of the employer to take reasonable measures to minimize the likelihood of workplace violence. WHAT IS WORKPLACE VIOLENCE? Workplace violence is not just limited to physical assault, but can also include near misses, verbal abuse, and sexual harassment. Even the fear of assault or witnessing an assault on a coworker can have serious health affects on workers. 2 EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE Aside from physical injuries, violent, abusive or threatening incidents in the workplace often result in serious and disabling psychological damage. Victims of workplace violence also have an increased risk of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disorder common among combat veterans and victims of terrorism, crimes, rape and other violent incidents. Psychological trauma is a common outcome of violent incidents, but one that has not received nearly enough attention or study. Emotional problems resulting from violent incidents include self doubt, depression, fear, post traumatic stress syndrome, loss of sleep, irritability, disturbed relationships with family, friends and co-workers, decreased ability to function at work, and increased absenteeism. Workers often blame themselves when they are injured in an assault, and management often encourages this self-blame. It is rare that these issues are dealt with effectively even in the short term. But there is increasing evidence that victims and witnesses of violent incidents need long term treatment to fully overcome these problems. CAUSES OF VIOLENCE It is clear that we are living in a much more violent society. There are more guns on the streets and more people are handling their problems through violence. Naturally, much of this violence spills over into the workplace -- hospital emergency rooms and social service offices -- and "outside workplaces," such as neighborhoods where housing inspectors, home health workers and child welfare workers work. Not only has society become more violent, but public policy has led to general society becoming more violent and more dangerous for workers, especially the people AFSCME represents -- social services workers, health care workers,
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