The impact on organisations

There is also a strong business case for taking action to tackle violence. The TUC reports that over three million working days are lost due to violent incidents each year and the direct cost to the economy, including the NHS and the benefits system, runs into millions of pounds.

The National Audit Office (NAO) has reported that research has demonstrated clear links between violence and aggression, and staff sickness, turnover and lost productivity.

There are costs associated with:

• increased absenteeism because employees are hurt, afraid or stressed;

• the loss of investment in training and of experience with more staff leaving;

• difficulty in recruiting as well as keeping staff;

• higher insurance premiums;

• legal representation and compensating workers;

• penalties for non-compliance with health and safety standards in the event of a prosecution;

• bad publicity and poor image; and

• low morale.