Homicide against women in the workplace

To examine the nature and magnitude of violence against women in the workplace.

Data from the National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities surveillance system were analyzed for the 13-year period, 1980 to 1992. Employment information was coded from industry and occupation narratives taken from the death certificates. Rates were calculated using annual average employment data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

From 1980 to 1992, 2,001 women and 7,935 men were victims of work-related homicides, for rates of 0.32 and 1.01 per 100,000 female and male workers, respectively. The majority of female homicide victims were employed in two industries-retail trade (46%) and services (22%). The highest risk industry was grocery stores (1.74 per 100,000 workers), followed by eating and drinking establishments, hotels and motels, and justice and public order.

The findings presented here are consistent with previous research indicating that homicide is the leading cause of occupational injury death for women, but that women are at lower risk than their male counterparts. Homicide played a major role in sales and service, sectors that have increased over the last several decades and in which future growth is predicted. Feasible and effective prevention strategies to reduce the risk of work-related homicides must be developed and implemented.