Focus

Focus Archive

Workplace Violence and Harassment: A European Picture

February 2011

A survey of the Agency's Focal Point network suggest that there is still an insufficient level of awareness and recognition of problems with third-party violence and harassment in many EU Member States, and there is a clear need to promote and disseminate good practice and prevention measures which are sensitive to the national context. Some measures proposed by EU, ILO, WHO and national experts are included in the report.

The report presents the prevalence of violence and harassment at work based on international and national statistics, as well as the results of scientific studies on antecedents and consequences of work-related violence.

Concern about the effects of workplace violence and harassment on the health and safety of workers has been growing over the last decade. Both third-party violence and harassment may have severely negative consequences for the individuals affected and their families, co-workers and organisations, as well as the whole society. Although this growing concern has led to better provision of information, there is still a need to improve awareness, and to encourage better dissemination of the proven tools and procedures to prevent and manage these occupational risks.

The international and national statistics included in this report show that violence at work affects a significant number of European workers. The results of scientific studies on antecedents and consequences of work-related violence are also discussed. A survey of the Agency's Focal Point network suggests that there is still an insufficient level of awareness and recognition of problems with third-party violence and harassment in many EU Member States, even if these issues are sometimes mentioned specifically in national legislation. The report concludes that there is a clear need to promote and disseminate good practice and prevention measures that are sensitive to the national context.

The Agency would like to thank the members of the Topic Centre for their contribution to this report, as well as our Focal Points for providing national information on violence and harassment at work, and our European Risk Observatory Expert Group and Advisory Group for their valuable comments and suggestions.

Dr Jukka Takala
Director, European Agency

Full Report: http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/violence-harassment-TERO09010ENC/view