Myth

Reality

“The number of people actually murdered on the job is quite low”

More women are murdered on the job annually than die from any other cause at work.  When combined with the number of men murdered at work it becomes the #1 and #2 cause of death in the workplace

“It just happened--there were no warning signs”

Studies have shown that about 85% of people who become violent at work did show prior warning signs in their behavior

“It won’t happen here”

According to OSHA, there are 2,000,000 assaults  and 51,000 sexual assaults annually in the workplace

“Boys will be boys”

Some long term studies show that kids who are bullied at school can suffer life-long trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.  In addition, studies show that 35-40% of kids who were recognized as bullies have at least 3 criminal convictions by the age of 24 (compared with 10% rate for non-bullies)

“All it will cost us to defend ourselves is attorney’s fees”

Estimates of the true cost of workplace violence are anywhere from $55-$200 million annually due to attorney’s fees, lost work time, poor customer image and fines/judgments for the plaintiffs.  OSHA reports there are over 1,700,000 sick days in American companies annually due to workplace violence

“Our insurance will cover the damages”

Supervisors can be held personally liable and be sued in civil court not only for their conduct but the conduct of others in some cases

“Aggression is a positive trait in the workplace”

A 2007 Zogby International poll of over 7,700 workers found that 37% admitted being bullied in the workplace.  The majority stated they were bullied by a supervisor.  OSHA currently recognizes workplace bullying as a form of workplace violence

“Most women who are murdered at work are killed by a spurned lover/spouse/ex-spouse”

The majority of women who are killed on the job are murdered by total strangers.  This speaks to the need to monitor/change the physical  in workplaces