The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines workplace violence as any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the workplace (NIOSH, 1996).
Policy: The purpose of VUMC's Workplace Violence Policy is to set forth Vanderbilt's desire to create and maintain an environment free from disruptive, threatening, and violent behavior. Vanderbilt will not tolerate inappropriate or intimidating behavior within the work place. (Policy # HR-027)
The Four Types of Workplace Violence:
Type I (Criminal Intent): Results while a criminal activity is being committed and the perpetrator has no legitimate relationship to the workplace. Examples of Type I includes theft or property damage.
Type II (Customer/Client): The perpetrator is a customer or client at the workplace and becomes violent while being served by the worker. Examples of Type II includes patient, family, or visitor assault toward the healthcare worker.
Type III (Worker-on-Worker): Employees or past employees of the workplace are the perpetrators. Examples of Type III includes verbal abuse, bullying, or physical assault from a co-worker.
Type IV (Personal Relationship): The perpetrator usually has a personal relationship with an employee. Examples of Type IV includes domestic violence that spills over into the workplace.
For more examples and resources for each type of workplace violence, click on the titles above.