A recent study where one third of the New Zealand workforce reportedly had experienced workplace violence was considered too low an estimate by Haydn Olsen, director of an anti-occupational violence organization. According to an article in TVNZ.com the study may not have thoroughly factored in bullying and psychological violence along with physical violence.
According to the article, “The Massey University survey of 96 organisations found nearly a fifth of the 2466 cases of workplace violence they reported involved physical injury, and 175 cases led to lost time and/or hospitalisation.
This accounted for a total of 572 lost working days directly attributable to workplace violence.”
As with studies in the United States, the healthcare sector had the highest instances of workplace violence. Like the United States, New Zealanders are reluctant to report workplace violence. While the cost of workplace violence is estimated in the multiple millions of dollars, in terms of loss of productivity, grievances and litigation. Unattended workplace violence has a terrible negative impact on employee morale and will often worsen as time goes on.
