Workplace violence or aggression

If a worker or anyone at your workplace is in immediate danger, call 000.

If a worker discloses that they are experiencing any form of violence, or you suspect they may not be safe, you can contact 1800 RESPECT, the national counselling service for family and domestic violence.

If an incident occurs or is reported at a workplace, you must immediately contact WorkSafe ACT on 13 22 81, or after hours on 0419 120 028 and follow the instructions provided by the WHS Inspector.

All workers have the right to be safe at work.

Workplace violence is any incident where someone is abused, threatened, or assaulted in any circumstances relating to their work.

It covers a wide range of behaviours that can be a risk to the health and safety of workers. It can be one unexpected incident or a series of repeated incidents. The most common is aggression and verbal abuse.

Workplace violence may not always begin in a critical or extreme situation; it sometimes follows a pattern of escalating behaviour – from agitation, expressed anger or frustration, and intimidating body language to verbal abuse and threats, physical threats or assault.

A risk assessment for workplace violence should be carried out by the person conducting the business or undertaking (PCBU).

If workplace violence is a risk at your workplace, don’t wait for an incident to happen. Instead, understand the risks, implement control measures, and provide a way for workers to report all forms of workplace violence.

As the PCBU, act promptly on reports and explain to your workers what you will do.

The Our Watch website also has a workplace guide for responding to disclosures of violence.

It is also important to understand that a workplace can be somewhere other than the usual place of work, if you have workers working from home and working offsite. As the PCBU, you must continue to manage all WHS risks including family and domestic violence.

Safe Work Australia have a guide on preventing workplace violence and aggression that outlines the process of identifying and managing the risks.

Managing the risk of family and domestic violence in the workplace

Workplaces can play an important role in preventing and responding to family and domestic violence by providing a safe working environment for all workers.

In some cases, workplaces can be a refuge for workers experiencing family and domestic violence and work and the workplace can provide critical social and economic support.

The Australian Human Rights Commission provides guidance about how to communicate that family and domestic violence is a workplace issue.

Safe Work Australia also have an information sheet about managing the risks of family and domestic violence including how to support workers who are working from home.

Supporting recovery

Managers and colleagues can greatly enhance recovery after an incident. During and immediately after an incident, the survivor (including witnesses), need to know they have support. This may include: