AlliedBarton survey: Violent and potentially violent events are widespread in U.S. workplace

by Brianna Crandall — February 24, 2012—Violence in the American workplace is clearly widespread according to a new survey just released by AlliedBarton Security Services, a leading American-owned physical security services firm. The “Violence in the American Workplace” survey reveals that over half of Americans employed outside their homes (52%) have witnessed, heard about or have experienced a violent event or an event that can lead to violence at their workplace.

The results of this survey are featured in the new book Potential: Workplace Violence Prevention and Your Organizational Success, by Bill Whitmore, Chairman, President and CEO of AlliedBarton Services, which retains 50,000 employees and 100 offices and provides security for several thousand clients in numerous industries.

Potential shows how a range of stakeholders—from CEOs and senior leaders to building management, human resources, contract security and law enforcement—can work together to lower an organization’s workplace violence risk and enhance its overall morale and performance. The new book was previewed at the 2011 American Society for Industrial Security conference and is now available to the public.

“Workplace violence often starts as verbal assaults or harassment and can escalate into threatening behavior, bullying, physical assaults and even, in some instances, deadly encounters,” says Whitmore. “With the significant increase in unemployment in the past several years and the downturn in the economy, there is every reason to believe that these incidents may increase. This book is intended to encourage more senior leaders to take a proactive stance against workplace violence and reinforce how leaders at every level can play an important role.”

The objective for the survey was to determine if American workers have personally experienced violence in the workplace, witnessed violence while working, been threatened with violence, have concerns about workplace violence, or have taken actions to ensure their own safety, and to ascertain their attitudes toward their current employer. Conducted by David Michaelson and Company, LLC, this was a comprehensive nationwide scientific phone survey of 1,030 adults working outside the home.

Highlights of the research include:

• Events that can lead to violent encounters are epidemic in the American workplace. Notably, 28% of workers report a violent event or one that can lead to violence happened to them at their current place of employment or that they have been personally affected by this type of event.
  
• High incidence of workplace violence and related events is reflected in a significant level of concern with personal safety in the workplace. One in three (34%) of those Americans employed outside the home are very or somewhat concerned with their personal safety.
  
• Workers are reluctant to report violence and related events that occur at their place of employment. Of those who took action, two in three (62%) workers reported the incident to a supervisor or human resources, 21% contacted security, 14% reported the incident to the police, and 12% called a confidential employer-provided number.
  
• Employers appear reluctant to take aggressive actions when violence occurs. Almost all (94%) employers take some action as a result of workplace violence. However, the most likely type of action taken is meeting with employees, as reported by 73% of workers; 69% say the employer met with the employee who experienced workplace violence. Only half (53%) took disciplinary actions; even fewer implemented training for employees (45%) or supervisors (35%), made changes to physical environments (31%), or made revisions to company policies (22%).
  
• Perceived low level of involvement by senior managers when workplace violence occurs. Fewer than half (44%) of senior managers (CEO/President/Owner) are perceived as being concerned with workplace violence, with only 17% seen as being very concerned.
  
• Workplace violence is closely linked to lower employee morale and less positive attitudes toward jobs. Two in three Americans (63%) employed outside the home strongly agree they are a valued employee. However, 58% who have an association with workplace violence strongly agree they feel valued, while 70% of those who did not share this experience have the same attitude. As to compensation, 45% of employees feel they are paid fairly in general. However, while over half (55%) of those who have not experienced or are not aware of workplace violence strongly agree they are paid fairly, only one in three (36%) of those who faced this situation share this attitude.
  
• In spite of the high incidence of workplace violence and related events, employees are highly likely to remain committed to their current employers; 71% say they are very committed to their current employer for the next year and an additional 20% report they are somewhat committed.
  
• Even with a high level of commitment to their current employers, high proportions of workers are seeking or considering seeking a new job. Workplace violence appears to be a significant contributor for this, with 28% of those who experienced or are aware of workplace violence looking for or seriously considering looking for a new job. By contrast, only 17% of those who have not had this experience are considering new employment. Overall, one in four (23%) employees is currently looking for or is seriously considering looking for a new job.