Unfortunately, violence in the workplace is not uncommon. In some occupational groups, employees are exposed to an increased risk of becoming victims of violence in the workplace. Work-related accidents involving violence are reported particularly frequently by retail employees or nurses. However, people in the public service, catering and service sectors are also frequently confronted with violence in the workplace. Experiences of violence and extreme incidents such as robberies can place a heavy psychological burden on those affected and also have consequences for the company.
As the information portal for employers reports, violent accidents in the workplace have increased by around 50 percent over the past ten years. While around 8,800 violent incidents were recorded in 2010, this figure had already risen to 13,200 in 2019. It is therefore very important that all employees know the correct behavior during and after acts of violence and are prepared for an emergency with the right measures. We provide tips on how employees can best behave when threatened with violence in order to escape conflict situations safely and unharmed. Companies will also find valuable tips on how they can improve the safety and well-being of their employees.
The most important facts in brief
✓ Violence in the workplace is unfortunately widespread, especially in professional groups such as retail, care, public service, catering and service.
Employees should take threats of violence seriously and never tolerate them. They should inform superiors immediately and call the emergency services in an emergency.
✓ Companies should implement violence prevention as part of their risk assessment and define clear procedures for dealing with violent situations.
1. do not tolerate any form of violence
If you are the victim of or witness to violence, you should take it seriously and never trivialize or overlook it. Show boundaries and signal that the behavior of people who insult, threaten, attack or injure someone is unacceptable. Therefore, report assaults of any kind to your superiors and call the emergency services without hesitation in threatening situations.
By consistently rejecting and reporting all forms of assault, you can help to increase safety in your workplace. It is also very important for those affected by violent incidents to receive treatment as quickly as possible in order to prevent serious traumatic consequences of the violence.
2. keep calm and remain self-confident
Even in the extremely stressful situation of a threat of violence, you should remain calm. Treat the person threatening violence politely and listen to them carefully. Make sure that your tone and behavior are as calm and relaxed as possible. Speak clearly and loudly and try to calm the aggressor down.
It is therefore essential that you refrain from insults, threats or questions intended to lure him/her into a trap. Do not frighten him/her with hasty, unexpected movements and point out to the person threatening violence that circumstances have changed, for example if a colleague appears in the next room.
Even if you are the victim of an attack or assault, you do not have to slip into the role of victim. Pleading and submissiveness can provoke the attacker(s) just as much as threats, insults or touching. However, you can help to prevent the situation from escalating by maintaining a calm but confident demeanor.
3. do not put yourself in unnecessary danger
Your own safety and that of the other employees is absolutely paramount. Therefore, you should never play the hero and never use weapons or similar, chase the attacker or block the escape route. Instead, follow his/her instructions without resistance. Also keep a safe distance of at least one meter from the attacker and avoid touching or physical confrontation. The aim is to escape the situation unharmed and not to win the confrontation. So if there is a safe way to escape, you should definitely use it!
4. make witnesses aware of their situation
Show outsiders that you are in an emergency situation and that it is not just a minor dispute. Because passers-by or colleagues are often unable to correctly assess conflict situations and tend to shy away from getting involved, you should signal as clearly as possible that you need help. You can do this by addressing the attacker(s) as "in" and not as "du". Show that you do not know the person. Address individual witnesses directly. With specific calls such as "You with the hat. Help me." or "You with the red jacket. Call the police!", outsiders will feel directly addressed and will take action.
5. memorize the characteristics of the person threatening violence
Your description of the incident is very important in order to be able to solve the robbery afterwards. Memorize the external features of the attacker and try to recognize any accomplices and remember their appearance. If the attacker flees in a vehicle, pay attention to the color, type of vehicle and license plate number.
6. make an emergency call and do not cover any tracks
If the attacker has left the company and is no longer threatening any of your colleagues in the vicinity, you should now immediately attend to the injured and provide first aid. Contact a doctor or call an ambulance. Report the incident to the police and your superiors as soon as possible.
Once all victims have been taken care of, you must document the incident. Fill out a wanted sheet with all the characteristics of the attacker and the accomplices. Ask everyone present to leave the crime scene in order to cover as few tracks as possible. Wait together with the witnesses for the police to arrive and make a note of their name, address and telephone number. You should also make a memory log so that you do not forget or confuse the course of the robbery.
What can the company do?
1. create a risk assessment
As violence is not uncommon in everyday working life and can place a heavy psychological burden on your employees, it should be an integral part of your risk assessment. Create an action plan and define personnel responsibilities for hazardous situations and emergencies. Recognize the risk factors in your company and derive suitable preventive measures. Ensure that your employees are helped as quickly as possible in violent and extreme situations in order to protect their health, safety and well-being.
In regular discussions with your employees, you should discuss the possibility of violence and provide them with comprehensive information about preventative measures. It is important that your employees are prepared to deal with conflict situations and transgressions in order to ensure safety in your company. Make it clear that violence will not be tolerated in your company under any circumstances and encourage your employees to report any kind of violence immediately.
2. protect your employees with CALIMA
CALIMA offers optimum protection for your employees and transforms their smartphone into a personal emergency signal device that offers manual and automatic ways to trigger an emergency call. In emergencies such as a threat of violence, employees can quickly request help and transmit relevant data, including location, to the protection officer. You can find more information about CALIMA here.
3. stand by those affected
In an emergency, there is no time to lose! Report the threat or act of violence immediately. The faster the victim receives care, the better the psychological injury can be treated.
After a violent accident, you should definitely take time for the victim. Make the victim feel safe in a quiet place and listen to them. Signal that the bad situation is now over. You should also advise those affected to seek help from professionals without creating pressure. You can also contact relatives or other trusted persons in whom the victim can confide. The victim should be accompanied on the way to the doctor's clinic or home to avoid any danger on the road.
