Workplace Violence Potential Impacts

• Adversely affects victims • Undermines employee morale • Lowers retention/high turnover rates • Lowers employee productivity • Staffing resource availability • Employees’ rights • Impacts patient care • Violence produces a fearful atmosphere


The potential impacts of workplace violence can be far-reaching and multifaceted. First and foremost, it adversely affects the individuals who become its victims, leaving lasting emotional and sometimes physical scars. Moreover, it has the capacity to undermine the morale of the entire workforce, creating a negative and tense atmosphere that can lead to a decrease in employee retention rates and increased turnover. This, in turn, can lead to challenges in maintaining optimal staffing levels, thereby impacting the overall resource availability within the organization.


Additionally, workplace violence can significantly lower employee productivity, as it fosters an environment of fear and unease, where employees may feel apprehensive about performing their duties effectively. Such an environment can also infringe upon the rights of employees, causing them to feel unsafe and unsupported within their workplace.


Furthermore, the impacts of workplace violence extend beyond the immediate workforce, as it can have implications for the quality of patient care. A workplace atmosphere characterized by fear and tension can impede the ability of healthcare professionals to provide the best care possible, potentially compromising the well-being and safety of patients. It is therefore crucial for organizations to address workplace violence proactively and implement measures to foster a secure and supportive work environment for all employees.