Violence and aggression overview

Implement a policy

One of the best ways to reduce cases of violence and aggression at work is creating and implementing a policy. It should be a clear and well-defined statement of your views on violence and aggression. It should also include how you propose to tackle it.

You should consult your employees while creating:

• policies
• procedures
• risk assessments
• actions that need to be put into practice

Your policy should express your commitment to reduce the number of cases of violence and aggression. It should include a clear statement to your employees and service users explaining that violent or aggressive behaviour is not acceptable.

You should set standards of behaviour throughout the organisation and raise awareness of workplace violence. You need to make employees aware of how they can report cases to you. You also need to explain how you will manage the issue by:

• fair treatment
• providing impartial investigations
• protecting their privacy and dignity

You should also explain what support is available to victims.

You can find further information and download an example policy on work-related violence on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website.

Have a procedure in place

You should also have a clear procedure in place to deal with grievance and disciplinary actions.

You can find help to create and put into practice a disciplinary procedure on the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) website.