Workplace Violence in North Carolina: Common Types

Workplace violence is hardly the first thing we think about when discussing job-related accidents. But, unfortunately, they are more common in North Carolina than you think. Violence makes up a significant number of cases that North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyers take on. Injuries from this type of accident can be horrifying.

Workplace violence includes acts or threats of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, etc., that happen on the job. According to a report, workplace violence accounted for 761 of the 5,333 fatal workplace injuries in 2019. Therefore, as a primary concern for North Carolina’s employers and employees, every worker must learn to take appropriate precautions.

It all starts by understanding the common types of workplace violence and its causes. It’s only through that knowledge that companies can map out adequate strategies to prevent them. We’ll discuss all those in this article and more. Meanwhile, if you’ve sustained injuries due to work-related violence, our work comp attorneys can help.

Let’s get started.

What Types of Workplace Violence Are North Carolina Workers At Risk From?

According to the CDC, there are four types of workplace violence. They are:

  • Type 1 Violence (Criminal Intent)

This is workplace violence as a result of criminal activity. Under this type of violence, the perpetrator typically has no legitimate relationship with the business or staff members.

The most common criminal intent under this heading is theft. However, it could also be a trespasser whose actions escalate to violence. An example of type 1 violence is a night-shift employee getting robbed at a parking space in the business premises.

  • Type 2 Violence (Customer/Client)

This type of on-the-job violence happens between an employee and a person who has a legitimate relationship with the business. Type 2 violence usually occurs in the course of the company serving a customer or client. It’s the most common work-related violence in the health sector.

Perpetrators of type 2 violence in hospitals could include the patients and their families. In other settings, it’s typically an unsatisfied customer threatening to hurt a worker.

  • Type 3 Violence (Worker-On-Worker)

Sometimes, work-related violence is due to conflict between employees that escalates into a fight. It could also be between a worker and a disgruntled former employee. This type of violence is also called lateral or horizontal violence.

Worker-to-worker violence could result from trauma, losses, or interpersonal disagreements. Supervisors and managers are usually the targets of this type of on-the-job violence.

  • Type 4 Violence (Personal Relationship)

When a worker has a history of domestic violence, it can quickly extend to the workplace environment. These are the types of violence that type 4 covers.

Here, the perpetrator doesn’t have any relationship with the business but has a personal relationship with an employee. An example of this type of violence is an abusive husband arriving at the workplace to threaten an employee.

Common Causes of Workplace Violence

Workplace violence can happen anywhere and anytime. However, some factors put some workers more at risk than others. These factors include:

  • Delivery services
  • Working in places where there’s a lot of money exchange or guarding valuables
  • Health care, social services, criminal justice sectors, and other work environments that deal with volatile persons
  • Employees who work alone
  • Contact with public and working in community-based settings
  • Working in places with high rates of crime

How to Prevent Work-Related Violence

Here’s how employers and workers can limit their risks of workplace violence in North Carolina:

  • Assess the unique risk factors in your work environment and develop a plan to mitigate them. Employers should discuss these plans, as well as emergency procedures, with employees.
  • Employers should establish a zero-tolerance policy for workplace violence. In addition, there should be penalties for violators.
  • Install security cameras as well as a remote-controlled alarm system. Administrators should also invest in security personnel.
  • Improve customer service delivery to limit type 2 violence
  • Companies should have an efficient dispute resolution system that employees can trust
  • Employers may prohibit personal visits to employees to limit the chances of type 4 violence
  • Establish procedures to reduce workers’ handling of cash and limit storing assets in the workplace as much as possible

Contact Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Charlotte, NC, Now!

Asides from sustaining devastating physical injuries, the consequences of workplace violence can be emotionally traumatizing. You’ll need all the help you can get to heal completely from all that. That includes financial assistance from your employer.

If you’re having difficulty getting your benefits, our workers’ compensation attorneys in Charlotte, NC, can make it happen. We have all the answers to your work questions. Contact us for a free consultation today.