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Workplace Violence: Why We Can’t Brush It Aside Anymore

What It Really Means

When we hear “workplace violence,” most people think of fights breaking out in the office. But it’s far bigger than that. It can be the sharp words that cut someone down, the constant intimidation that wears people out, or threats that hang heavy in the air. And yes, sometimes it escalates into physical assaults with life-changing consequences.

The Numbers We Can’t Ignore

In 2023 alone, 740 people in the U.S. lost their lives because of violence at work. That’s not a typo. That’s one out of every seven work-related deaths. Think about it, people walking out the door for a regular shift, never coming home. Not because of an accident, but because of anger that turned deadly.

Why It Feels Urgent Now

If you feel like stories of workplace violence are showing up in the news more often, you’re right. A Traliant survey found that 3 in 10 workers have seen violence at work, and 15% said they’d experienced it themselves. That’s millions of people. It’s worst in industries where tensions run high, hospitality and healthcare. Nearly half of hospitality workers said they’ve witnessed aggression. And in hospitals, it’s become disturbingly routine. A nurse in Florida, with 20 years of experience, was beaten by a patient. In Chicago, an ER doctor was stabbed mid-shift. These aren’t “rare incidents.” They’re warnings of how much pressure our workplaces and the people in them are under. The pandemic made everything harder. Stress and frustration boiled over, and health workers took the brunt of it. Nurses tell of being shouted at, insulted, and sometimes even assaulted in the same hospitals where they come to heal people. Some admit, quietly, that they don’t feel safe anymore in the very place that’s supposed to protect and care for others.

Where HR Fits In

So who steps in? Often, it falls on Human Resources. And that’s not easy, they’re not security guards. But they set the rules, shape the culture, and decide what kind of behavior is tolerated. The best HR leaders don’t wait until tragedy forces action. They:

  • Write and enforce clear zero-tolerance policies.

  • Train staff to recognize red flags and calm situations before they spiral.

  • Build reporting systems people actually trust.

  • Offer mental health support for staff who’ve been through traumatic incidents.

  • Work with leadership to put security measures in place, real ones, not just cameras collecting dust.

But rules on paper only matter if management lives by them. When leaders truly enforce a “no abuse” culture, people feel safe enough to focus on their work instead of watching their backs.

What Happens When Violence Is Prevented

The shift is immediate. Fear stops draining people’s energy. Nurses can focus fully on patients. Customer service teams engage without anxiety. Colleagues collaborate instead of shutting down. And the ripple goes even further—trust builds, morale rises, people stick around longer. Customers and clients feel the difference too. Safe workplaces don’t just protect people—they unlock their best work.

The Bigger Lesson

It’s tempting to leave this at HR’s doorstep, but safety isn’t just their job. It belongs to everyone.

  • Employees need to look out for each other and speak up when something feels wrong.

  • Managers need to lead with calm, not fear.

  • Organizations need to treat safety as part of their culture—not just a box to tick for compliance.

Workplace violence doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. It grows in silence, in places where intimidation is brushed off, where stress builds unchecked, where people don’t feel safe to report. Breaking that cycle takes everyone—leadership, HR, and staff—choosing respect over aggression.

Final Word

No one should fear being hurt at work. Not a nurse, not a server, not anyone. The hopeful part? It doesn’t have to be this way. Violence at work is preventable. With clear policies, real support from leadership, and a culture of respect, workplaces can change. They can become not only safer, but stronger. Because in the end, this isn’t just about avoiding harm. It’s about dignity, trust, and giving people the freedom to do what they came to work to do: their best.

Sources

  • OSHA. Workplace Violence. OSHA.gov

  • Ava Martinez. More Than Just a Bad Day: The Growing Crisis of Workplace Violence. The HR Digest. TheHRDigest.com

  • Gwendolyn Rowena Williams, MD. The Crisis of Increasing Workplace Violence Against Health Care Workers. OpMed Doximity. Doximity.com

Want to Explore Mental Health Perspectives from HRX 2025?

Take a moment to revisit an inspiring session from HRX 2025 titled “The Future of Mental Health Is Filipino Minds’ National Heartfelt Call”. It sheds light on the Filipino context, mental wellness in workplaces, and the human spirit that drives resilience.

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