Ottawa – There is a strong connection between the health and well being of people and their work environments. When people feel valued, respected and satisfied in their jobs and work in safe, healthy environments, they are more likely to be more productive and committed to their work. Everyone can benefit from a healthy workplace. Most people think of workplace violence and bullying as acts of physical assault. However, it is a much broader problem, consisting of any act in which a person is abused, threatened, intimidated, assaulted, degraded, or humiliated in his or her employment.
Most people think of violence as a physical assault. However, workplace violence and harassment is a much broader problem. It can be defined as any act in which a person is abused, threatened, intimidated or assaulted in his or her employment.
While exact definitions vary in legislation, generally speaking, workplace violence or harassment includes:
- Threatening behaviour – such as shaking fists, destroying property or throwing objects.
- Verbal or written threats – any expression of an intent to inflict harm.
- Verbal abuse – swearing, insults or condescending language.
- Physical attacks – hitting, shoving, pushing or kicking.
Some jurisdictions include harassment as a form of violence, while others define harassment separately. Harassment can be thought of as any behaviour that demeans, embarrasses, humiliates, annoys, alarms or verbally abuses a person and that is known or would be expected to be unwelcome. These behaviours include words, gestures, intimidation, bullying, or other inappropriate activities.
Generally speaking, any action or behaviour – from spreading rumours, swearing, verbal abuse, pranks, arguments, property damage, vandalism, sabotage, pushing, theft, physical assaults, inflicting psychological trauma, anger-related incidents, rape, arson to murder – are all examples of workplace violence or harassment.
Also, note that workplace violence or harassment is not limited to incidents that occur within a traditional workplace. Work-related incidents can occur at off-site business-related functions (conferences, trade shows), at social events related to work, in clients’ homes, or away from work but resulting from work (a threatening telephone call to your home from a client).
NOTE: In this document, we use the term violence also to include bullying and harassment. All jurisdictions in Canada have legislation specific to harassment and violence. Please see the OSH Answers titled Violence and Harassment in the Workplace – Legislation for more details. Contact your local authorities in your jurisdiction for specific information.