Skip to main content
Marsh logo

Managing occupational violence in Australian workplaces

With more employees heading back into the workplace, companies need to manage and ensure they are prepared for an increased risk of occupational violence.

12/04/2022 · 3 minute read

With most COVID-19 restrictions now eased across Australian states and territories, a re-surge of businesses returning to the workplace and face to face interactions has occurred. However, with more employees heading back into the office or workplace companies need to manage and ensure they are prepared for an increased risk of occupational violence. 

The rise of occupational violence in a post-pandemic landscape

Occupational violence in Australian workplaces was on the rise before the outbreak of COVID-19, and this rise has continued in the wake of community dissatisfaction and frustration with continuing COVID-19 restrictions. 

Data from WorkSafe Qld revealed that the state had seen an 81% increase in overall occupational violence claims in the last five years. The residential care and retail sectors were more heavily impacted, with claims increasing by 93%  and 114% in the respective sectors. 

Safe Work Australia identified an increase in the rate of members of the public deliberately coughing and spitting on workers. In some states, this is a criminal offence, and employers should check with their local police to determine if this kind of behaviour may require reporting. 

Whilst all workers are at risk of exposure to occupational violence; this data indicates that young workers and women are at a higher risk. Workers in industries such as retail, health care and social services are also less likely to report incidents of occupational violence, as they see it as part of "business as usual".

Accessing national data on the prevalence of occupational violence is currently difficult to ascertain. This is mainly due to differing definitions, state-based management of health and safety and suspected under-reporting. It is reasonable to assume that rates across Australia are comparable.

Implementing an Occupational Violence Procedure

As Australian states and territories continue moving towards COVID-normal at their own pace, employers need to monitor their workers' behaviours from both internal and external sources. There is an excellent opportunity to introduce or review your company’s Occupational Violence Procedure to ensure it meets the needs of your workplace.

Our recently developed Occupational Violence Procedure Template provides employers with a clear guideline on the critical steps to take in identifying, assessing and managing risks associated with occupational violence from internal and external sources. It also provides helpful additional resources to assist in gathering information following an incident of occupational violence.   

In this procedure, you will find guides on: 

  • How to deal with occupational violence instances as they are reported
  • How to deal with de-escalation points to diffuse the situation
  • How to investigate them
  • How to treat that investigation
  • How to escalate internally 

Our occupational violence procedure template has been developed after reviewing the safe work NSW guidelines and industry best-practice in relation to COVID-19 occupational violence risks.

It is also imperative that this procedure is communicated across your workforce to ensure its visibility by all workers. In this message, employers have an opportunity to emphasise the importance of employee safety, company care and that occupational violence in the workplace is not accepted. These measures will assist in improved safety culture and increased reporting where occupational violence occurs.  

Please note that this situation is highly dynamic and has the potential to change dramatically and frequently. All these changes can potentially impact how businesses should and can operate with COVID-19 risks. It is vital to regularly check with your relevant state-based public health authorities for the most up to date COVID-19 management requirements and review  this procedure regularly.