Workplace violence

Whether you work in the acute care, continuing care or outpatient setting, you cannot afford to ignore the effects of workplace violence. The costs are significant when you consider that they affect morale, productivity, service delivery, turnover and ultimately your financial success. Remember, a violent incident doesn't end when the incident is over. People must cope with the consequence of verbal or physical abuse and continual feelings of anger, guilt and fear. We must recognize workplace violence as a major occupational health and safety hazard. Most importantly, a program that reduces or eliminates violence requires an organizational and personal acknowledgment that violence towards employees is unacceptable.