WorkSafe has launched a new initiative urging the Victorian community to consider the impact that verbal abuse, such as yelling or swearing, may have on the many workers who face this hazard in their everyday work lives. Highlighting the impact of occupational violence and aggression is the focus of the Don’t Cross the Line campaign to be rolled out across television, radio, print and social media.
Work-related violence involves incidents in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work. Not everyone realises there is a scale of aggression and violence. Some examples include:
- aggressive gestures or expressions such as eye rolling and sneering
- verbal abuse such as yelling, swearing and name calling
- intimidating physical behaviour such as standing in a worker's personal space or standing over them
- physical assault such as biting, spitting, scratching, pushing, shoving, tripping and grabbing
- extreme acts of violence and aggression such as hitting, punching, strangulation, kicking, personal threats, threats with weapons, sexual harassment and assault
No matter the situation, none of these are acceptable. Being exposed to these incidents repetitively can have a cumulative and significant ongoing effect on wellbeing.
WorkSafe resources available as part of the Don’t Cross the Line campaign include -
- posters for both community and employees
- work-related violence guides to help employers control the risks
- a tool to help employers control the risk in different scenarios