Workplace violence statistics give you a clearer picture of the dangers hiding in specific work settings. Moreover, the data you’re about to read will show you how often acts of violence happen to workers in different industries.
As mass workplace shootings are common in the US, we’ve covered the stats on them as well. On the other hand, the global stats and facts will give you an insight into workplace incidents around the world.
If you want to find out about everything mentioned and even more, take a look at the valuable information we’ve gathered.
Top Workplace Violence Statistics 2022 — Editor’s Choice
- Approximately 1.5 million workplace assaults occur every year.
- 43.10% of workplace murders happen during robberies.
- 47% of ER physicians report a physical assault.
- 22,088 law enforcement officers have been assaulted by firearms on duty over the last decade.
- Around 70–74% of workplace assaults happen to social workers.
- Taxi drivers are 20 times more likely to be murdered while working than other professions.
- Almost 45% of retail deaths are due to a violent act.
- 58% of teachers encounter workplace violence in Italy.
- 307,000 adults experience violence at work in England and Wales.
Statistics on Workplace Violence in the US
1. Workplace violence causes businesses to lose $250–$330 billion on average per year.
(Forbes)
A study reveals work-related violence is an issue for millions of workers in the US. Unfortunately, about 25% of them remain silent about it. As a result, employees fail to address this problem. The losses their businesses have due to reduced productivity, injuries, lawsuits, and absenteeism are enormous. Moreover, a damaged reputation leads to a loss of customers.
2. Approximately 1.5 million workplace assaults occur every year.
(The Balance Careers)
National workplace violence statistics say many workplace incidents remain unreported. However, 396,000 out of the total number of those are aggravated assaults. Moreover, sexual assaults and rapes account for 51,000. In addition, roughly 84,000 robberies and 1,000 homicides take place annually.
3. 28% of employees are aware of workplace violence incidents in their organizations.
(SHRM)
More than a fourth of the surveyed employees know occupational violence happens in their workplaces. 20% say they have witnessed violence between co-workers, while 8% state they have been involved in aggressive interactions. In addition, around 19% of employees aren’t sure whether workplace violence is present among workers.
4. Workplace violence statistics show that 251 fatal work injuries happen due to violence.
(US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The data comes from a recent survey on people aged 55 and older. Moreover, workplace violence by people or animals is the fourth most common cause of fatal work injuries in this age group.
5. 45% of American workers are aware that workplace violence prevention programs exist at their companies.
(SHRM)
Half of the surveyed employees feel more secure thanks to such programs. In addition, the research shows 71% of the respondents know what to do when involved in or witnessing a workplace violence incident.
6. Violence in the workplace statistics show female workers are five times more likely to be killed by a relative or domestic partner in the workplace than male workers.
(AFL-CIO, JRank)
Workplace violence is the third-leading cause of workplace death. Yet, women are at a greater risk than men. Studies reveal that 35% of female workplace deaths are the result of homicide.
7. 43.10% of workplace murders happen during robberies.
(Zippia)
Research has shown robbers commit workplace homicide most often. Moreover, co-workers are second with around 25.93%, and customers are third with 17.17%. Finally, relatives and domestic partners are responsible for workplace violence in roughly 9.43% of events.
Workplace Violence Statistics in Healthcare
8. 41% of registered nurses are victims of bullying, incivility, or other acts of workplace violence.
(AMN Healthcare)
Although 27% of them have witnessed workplace violence, only 10% of the nurses say their organization addressed the issue very well. Unfortunately, 63% of the respondents say the organization didn’t respond that well, although 66% of Americans are aware of bullying happening in their respective workplaces.
9. 70% of assaulted hospital workers aren’t injured.
(NBC Bay Area)
Cal/OSHA finds that violence against healthcare workers persists despite the hospital safety law. However, workplace violence in hospitals statistics show that 16,177 workplace incidents in healthcare result in no injury. Bruises and cuts happen in 20% of the cases, while others include psychological problems, sprains, head injuries, fractures, and burns.
10. 47% of ER physicians report a physical assault.
(Marketing General Incorporated)
The ER is one of the most common healthcare workplaces witnessing violence. Out of 3,500 ER physicians, 97% say patients are the primary source of assault. Moreover, patients also threatened to hurt 83% of the respondents.
11. 4.7% of neurosurgeons reported at least one physical assault at work nationwide.
(PubMed)
Workplace violence in healthcare statistics show this type of violence is quite common in many specialties, and neurosurgery is one of them. What’s more, around 53.3% of the respondents have experienced it. Also, 17.8% of the neurosurgeons obtained a weapon due to threats they had received from patients.
12. 20% of nurses face increased workplace violence.
(Healthcare Finance News)
These results come from a recent survey conducted on 15,000 registered nurses nationwide. The nurses reported increased levels of workplace violence during the pandemic and said most of the physical and verbal violence came from patients.
Workplace Shootings Statistics
13. 22,088 law enforcement officers have been assaulted by firearms between 2010 and 2019.
(UCR FBI)
These assaults resulted in 9.2% injured people. Moreover, the largest number of victims was in 2017 — out of 2,677 officers assaulted in shootings while on duty, 10.2% were injured. Conversely, the lowest number of assaults with firearms happened in 2010 (1,925).
14. The FedEx Indiana warehouse shooting has been the deadliest workplace massacre in over a year.
(NBC News)
Workplace violence statistics show that the number of workplace shootings is on the rise in the US. Eight people were killed during the FedEx warehouse shooting in 2020. The second deadliest shooting occurred earlier that year at Molson Coors headquarters, Milwaukee, when five people were fatally wounded.
15. The 1986 Oklahoma postal service shooting is the second-deadliest workplace shooting by victim count in US history.
(Statista, Oklahoma Historical Society)
It also counts as the nation’s third-largest mass murder in the workplace, with 15 fatalities and 6 injuries.
Mass shootings in workplaces typically happen because of disgruntled workers. Moreover, the perpetrators of some of the deadliest workplace shooting events had mental health problems.
Workplace Violence Statistics by Industry
16. Patient/client/visitor is the most common type of workplace violence in the healthcare industry.
(Nursing World, US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Healthcare workers comprise 73% of all workplace violence victims. In fact, patients are the ones who assault them most often. Moreover, patients’ relatives and visitors are typical perpetrators as well. Customer/worker violence happens most frequently in psychiatric, emergency, geriatric settings, and waiting rooms.
17. Taxi drivers are 20 times more likely to be murdered while working than other professions.
(OSHA)
Statistics on workplace violence across various industries single out taxi drivers as a high-risk group. The risk factors that make taxi drivers prone to occupational violence are night shifts, carrying cash, and transporting intoxicated people.
18. Around 70–74% of workplace assaults happen to social workers.
(EHS Daily Advisor, Social Workers)
The nature of their job makes social workers nearly five times more likely to be injured at work. Social workers deal with alcohol and drug addicts, mental health patients, and people with a history of violence. Furthermore, home visits in neighborhoods with high crime rates increase the chance of an assault.
19. Workplace violence statistics claim that almost 45% of retail deaths are a result of violence and injuries from persons and animals.
(US Bureau of Labor Statistics, AmTrust Financial)
In 2019, 16 out of 36 fatal injuries in the retail industry were caused by persons or animals. In addition, the retail industry has the third-highest workplace violence victimization rate. OSHA states that workers in liquor, jewelry, grocery stores, and gas stations are at a higher risk of workplace violence.
20. Most recent statistics show that 56,034 officers are attacked at work.
(UCR FBI)
The most recent FBI’s LEOKA report says that, out of the total number of attacked officers, 17,188 of them sustained injuries. Moreover, roughly 79.3% were attacked with personal weapons and 3.8% with firearms. Attackers used knives and other cutting instruments in 1.9% of the events.
Global Workplace Violence Statistics
21. 58% of teachers encounter workplace violence in Italy.
(MDPI)
The latest data available tells us that more than half of teachers face physical and psychological violence at work, and a perpetrator is male in 80% of the cases. Students (57%) and parents (20%) attack teachers as well. What’s more, 14% of teachers think about changing their job because of this aggressive behavior they experience. However, only 12% have actually changed it.
22. In Taiwan, 43% of women experience sexual harassment at work.
(Statista)
Workplace violence statistics reveal many female employees in Taiwan are victims of some form of sexual harassment. However, sexual harassment in the workplace statistics imply the majority are afraid to report it. So, the number of victims could be even higher.
23. 61.6% of freelancers in Japan experience power harassment at their workplaces.
(Statista)
An online survey shows that many freelancers in Japan have been harassed at work. However, only 36.6% of them reported work-related sexual harassment, while about 45% of all the workers didn’t tell anyone about the incidents at work.
24. Stats on workplace violence show protective service occupations in England and Wales have an 8.4% risk of workplace violence.
(Health and Safety Executive)
The average risk of experiencing violence while working is 1.4% across all occupations in England and Wales. Moreover, a crime survey shows that employees in protective services are in greater danger; they are six times more likely to face assaults and threats than the average.
25. 307,000 adults experience violence at work in England and Wales.
(Health and Safety Executive)
The same survey finds numerous employees reporting incidents of violence at work — 668,000 of them, to be precise. About 38% of those result in injury, with bruising making up most of the cases.
Workplace Violence Statistics — Conclusion
Workplace violence is an ever-present issue, and statistics show that some occupations are more likely to face it. However, they also show no profession is immune to violence. Furthermore, workplace violence comes in different forms, affecting all levels of male and female workers across industries.
Therefore, organizations must ensure their employees are safe. Prevention programs are one way to go, while increased security measures also help. Moreover, mental health screenings can detect mental disorders in workers on time, and background check companies provide much information on potential employees.