Workplace Violence Statistics

Workplace Violence Statistics can be very revealing.

DHHS Workplace Violence Training Research Library

Of all violent crimes reported in the U.S. from 1993 to 1999 18% occured in the workplace. Of these crimes 900 were homicides, 36,500 sexual assaults, and 1.3 million lesser assaults.

• Homicide is the second leading cause of death in the workplace in the U.S., and the number one cause of death in the workplace for females.
• 25% of workers surveyed in 1993 reported some type of physical attacks, harassment, or threats of violence in their workplace within the last year.
• The following sources of workplace violence have been identified: 55% due to work/personality conflicts, 36% due to family or marital problems, and 24% due to work-related stress.
• You have a 60% chance of being personally involved in workplace violence at some time, as reported by a survey in N.C. in 1999.
• About 20 Americans are murdered each week while at work.
• Every week, 18,000 American workers are assaulted.
• The following describes who is committing the acts of violence in the workplace:
  • 80% are males
  • 3% are former employees
  • 20% are current employees
  • Over 66% are strangers (including customers, clients).

American business and government offices spend over $36 billion per year on costs related to workplace violence including medical and psychiatric care, lost productivity, repairs, insurance rate increases, and security costs.