A groundbreaking new study reveals that violence and fear of violence in the workplace are far more pervasive and damaging than previously understood, painting a sobering picture of the modern labor environment. According to the research, co-authored by experts Dr Vanessa Gash from City, St George’s, University of London and Dr Niels Blom from the University of Manchester, one in twelve workers across various industries in the United Kingdom has faced threats, insults, or physical attacks at work over the past year. This disturbing statistic challenges conventional thinking and compels a deeper examination of workplace safety beyond physical incidents alone.
The study employed rigorous data analysis drawn from the United Kingdom Household Panel Study (UKHLS), a comprehensive national survey covering approximately 40,000 households. This dataset included detailed mental health metrics, labor market participation statuses, and violence indicators, enabling the researchers to craft a statistically robust narrative on the prevalence and consequences of workplace violence. Beyond quantitative analysis, the researchers enriched their understanding by integrating firsthand accounts from workers with lived experience, providing critical context and emotional resonance to the numbers.
Workplace violence was found not to discriminate by sector. From finance through construction, to the creative arts and public administration, incidents of violence and intimidation permeate many professional environments. Particularly vulnerable are those employed in public administration and facilities—civil servants, police officers, firemen, legal assistants, and immigration officials among them—who face the highest odds of encountering such violence. This cross-industrial reach indicates systemic vulnerabilities in workplace security protocols and culture that transcend occupational boundaries.
A startling revelation from the research is that one in thirteen employees reports feeling unsafe in their places of employment. This fear, often dismissed as subjective or exaggerated, correlates closely with exposure to violent incidents. The researchers assert that this perceived threat is frequently justified and is intricately tied to debilitating mental health outcomes. Workers experiencing such fear are not merely anxious; they face increased risks of clinical conditions including anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, underscoring violence’s insidious mental toll.
Perhaps more concerning is the persistence of these mental health symptoms, which do not abate quickly after the violent incident subsides. The study finds that individuals continue to grapple with poor mental health up to a year following workplace violence. This latency amplifies the human and economic costs of violence beyond immediate harm, indicating a chronic, unresolved trauma that impairs workers’ wellbeing and productivity long after visible scars have healed.
The qualitative data highlighted crucial gaps in organizational responses to workplace violence. Many employees recounted experiences where management trivialized or outright dismissed their allegations, responding with irritation or emotional disengagement rather than support. This institutional failure to acknowledge and address violence exacerbates victims’ feelings of isolation and helplessness. Since abandoning employment is rarely a viable option for financial or social reasons, victims often feel trapped, intensifying their distress and compounding the long-term psychological damage.
Dr Vanessa Gash articulated the profound injustice and inefficiency of this problem, emphasizing that workplace violence affects not only the individual but the broader economy. With around 5% of workers in most industrial sectors encountering violence and nearly 8% feeling unsafe at work, the implications stretch far beyond human suffering. The consequent impairment of workforce retention and productivity represents a significant economic burden. Good workers may leave or underperform due to trauma, representing a dual loss for employers and the economy at large.
Dr Niels Blom further emphasized the need for workplace safety discourse to expand beyond tangible violent acts to incorporate the profound impact of fear on mental health. Recognizing fear as a legitimate and measurable workplace hazard reframes violence prevention strategies. It calls for trauma-informed policies that address both the events and the psychological aftermath, fostering environments that prioritize not only physical security but also emotional safety and wellbeing.
This research’s call for trauma-informed workplace policies is a timely intervention in a landscape where many organizations lack adequate mechanisms to support affected employees. Those policies should be crafted with an emphasis on job retention, ensuring that victims are not forced into unemployment due to mental health fallout. Such an approach requires integrating mental health services with occupational health frameworks, training management to respond empathetically and effectively, and embedding preventative practices within institutional cultures.
Moreover, the findings suggest that tackling workplace violence and its consequences could have broader societal benefits, potentially invigorating the UK’s sluggish economy. Poor mental health accounts for significant workforce absenteeism and reduced labor participation, translating to lost productivity and economic stagnation. By mitigating violence-related fear and trauma, workplaces can foster resilience, reduce turnover, and enhance overall economic performance, illustrating the multifaceted value of improved workplace safety.
Underlying the severity of the issue is the nature of different forms of violence. While physical violence is more overt and thus more readily reported, insidious forms of bullying and psychological intimidation remain underreported due to their ambiguous and harder-to-prove nature. This "tip of the iceberg" phenomenon suggested by affected workers points to a vast, unquantified reservoir of workplace suffering, hidden beneath official statistics and calls for more nuanced measurement tools and culturally sensitive reporting mechanisms.
This research stands as a clarion call to policymakers, employers, and occupational health professionals alike. It urges the creation of comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to recognize and address both the visible and invisible facets of workplace violence. Only by acknowledging the nexus of exposure, fear, and mental health can meaningful progress be made toward safer and healthier work environments, safeguarding the workforce and by extension, the economy.
In sum, the study’s insights illuminate a critical, yet overlooked, public health challenge. Workplace violence and the associated fear impose lasting psychological burdens that ripple through individuals, organizations, and economies. The evidence compels a shift in how societies understand and combat workplace violence, highlighting the urgent need for trauma-informed, supportive policies that not only prevent violence but also empower survivors to heal within their professional lives.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Workplace violence and fear of violence: an assessment of prevalence across industrial sectors and its mental health effects
News Publication Date: 12-May-2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.4230
Keywords: Public health, Sociology, Socioeconomics, Environmental economics, Economics, Criminology, Crime, Mental health, Psychological stress, Social psychology
