The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines work-related violence as “any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to work”. This includes verbal abuse and threats, in addition to physical abuse.
Employees in many public-facing roles are at risk of being attacked by customers, while other positions, such as prison officer and police officer, are inherently dangerous. Employers may have a policy on violence at work, which should set out preventative steps and support available to victims.
Domestic violence outside work may also have an impact on employees’ health and wellbeing.