LRD guides and handbook February 2017
Protecting workers from violence and abuse - a union rep's guide
The UK has some of the highest levels of work-related violence in Europe and while the workers most at risk are those in contact with people from outside their organisation, violence and abuse can happen in any workplace.
Union reps and safety reps have a key role to play in ensuring that employers provide suitable levels of protection for their workers. This LRD booklet provides practical guidance on how to prevent or reduce work-related violence and abuse, as well as giving advice on what action to take when it does occur. Crucially, it explains how reps can use the law to persuade employers to take action to prevent violence at work. This booklet also provides practical examples showing how unions and reps across a range of sectors and in a variety of workplaces have tackled workplace violence and abuse.
Introduction
Introduction [pages 5-6] (813 words)
Work-related violence threatens dignity, security, health and well-being and impacts not only on workers and employers, but also on their families, ... Open access
Chapter 1
1. Work-related violence and abuse and who it affects [ch 1: page 7] (337 words)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines work-related violence as: ‘Any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in ... Subscribers only
Types of violent behaviour [ch 1: pages 7-8] (224 words)
Cyberbullying/Social media abuse [ch 1: page 8] (172 words)
Causes of work-related violence [ch 1: pages 8-9] (127 words)
Who is most at risk? [ch 1: page 9] (203 words)
Risk factors [ch 1: pages 9-10] (292 words)
The extent of work-related violence [ch 1: pages 10-11] (353 words)
The impact on employees [ch 1: pages 11-12] (246 words)
The impact on organisations [ch 1: page 12] (154 words)
Guidance for employers and workers [ch 1: page 12] (101 words)
Union data on work-related violence [ch 1: pages 13] (433 words)
Retail [ch 1: pages 13-14] (225 words)
Education [ch 1: pages 14-15] (576 words)
Media [ch 1: page 15] (175 words)
Transport [ch 1: page 16] (523 words)
The justice sector [ch 1: page 16] (198 words)
The NHS [ch 1: pages 16-18] (520 words)
Chapter 2
2. The law [ch 2: page 19] (69 words)
Health and safety law applies to risks from violence and abuse, just as it does to any other risks at work. The employer’s duty of care under the ... Open access
Main sources of legal rights [ch 2: page 19] (109 words)
Health and Safety at Work Act [ch 2: pages 19-20] (263 words)
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations [ch 2: page 20] (167 words)
Procedures for serious and imminent danger [ch 2: page 20] (406 words)
Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations [ch 2: pages 20-21] (144 words)
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations [ch 2: pages 21-22] (164 words)
Emergency Workers Acts [ch 2: page 22] (201 words)
Dangerous dogs legislation [ch 2: page 22] (282 words)
Common law [ch 2: page 23] (220 words)
Vicarious liability [ch 2: pages 23-25] (898 words)
Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) [ch 2: pages 25-26] (250 words)
Criminal law: calls for proper enforcement [ch 2: pages 26-27] (510 words)
The law on third-party harassment [ch 2: page 27] (220 words)
Protection from Harassment Act [ch 2: page 27] (87 words)
Chapter 3
3. Guidance on tackling violence at work [ch 3: page 28] (101 words)
The HSE publication, Violence at work: a guide for employers sets out a four-stage management process for tackling the issue: ... Open access
Stage 1: Identifying the problem [ch 3: pages 2830] (810 words)
Stage 2: Deciding what action to take [ch 3: pages 30-34] (1,443 words)
Stage 3: Taking action [ch 3: pages 34-35] (510 words)
Stage 4: Checking what has been done [ch 3: page 36] (108 words)
HSE case study [ch 3: pages 36-37] (257 words)
Lone working [ch 3: page 37] (301 words)
Managing and preventing violence to lone working staff [ch 3: page 38] (225 words)
Personal Protective Equipment [ch 3: page 39] (128 words)
Supporting the victims [ch 3: pages 39-41] (344 words)
A safety representatives’ checklist on violence and abuse at work [ch 3: page 40] (287 words)
Sector-specific guidance [ch 3: page 41] (76 words)
Schools [ch 3: page 41] (160 words)
NHS [ch 3: pages 41-42] (399 words)
Retail [ch 3: pages 43-44] (430 words)
Local government [ch 3: pages 44-45] (631 words)
Transport [ch 3: page 44] (231 words)
Chapter 4
4: Union action to protect workers from violence and abuse [ch 4: page 47] (78 words)
The following chapter sets out examples of how unions are taking action at all levels, from workplace, to national, European and international level, ... Open access
Tackling under-reporting [ch 4: page 47] (328 words)
Working with the police [ch 4: page 48] (387 words)
Combatting anti-social behaviour [ch 4: pages 48-49] (399 words)
Safeguarding and supporting security officers [ch 4: pages 49-51] (783 words)
Confronting cyber abuse on social media [ch 4: page 51-53] (653 words)
European agreement [ch 4: page 53] (129 words)
UK guidance [ch 4: page 53] (127 words)
Working towards an international standard [ch 4: page 54] (213 words)
Taking industrial action [ch 4: page 54] (204 words)
Chapter 5
5. Protecting workers from sexual and prejudice-related violence [ch 5: page 55] (113 words)
Gender, race, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation and religious belief can all increase the likelihood of being assaulted. To ... Open access
Domestic violence [ch 5: pages 55-56] (1,503 words)
Sexual harassment [ch 5: pages 58-59] (288 words)
Racist and religious violence and abuse [ch 5: page 60] (437 words)
Disability abuse [ch 5: pages 60-61] (178 words)
Homophobia, transphobia and biphobia [ch 5: page 61] (290 words)
Further information
Further Information (236 words)
Labour Research Department 78 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8HF; tel: 020 7928 3649; web: www.lrd.org.uk ... Open access
Appendices
Carrying out a violence at work survey (610 words)
The following Violence at Work Survey is based on one developed by UCU university and college lecturers’ union but can be adapted for use in any ... Subscribers only