Community services workers affected by workplace violence

Survey finds 43% targeted in the past year by clients, co-workers and supervisors

Toronto (8 July 2008) - A survey commissioned by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) confirms that violence in the workplace is widespread among those who work in the community services sector.

OPSEU's Community Services Divisional Council represents more than 11,500 members, including those in CAS, developmental services, child and family services, child care, community agencies, corrections and child treatment centers.

Oraclepoll was commissioned by the council this spring. A total of 500 members were surveyed across the province. The findings:

More than four in ten community sector members (43%) have been personal victims of violence at work over the past year. Of these, more than 90% have been threatened, and almost three quarters have been subjected to physical attacks. Nearly half (48%) have witnessed a violent act against a co-worker over the past year.
Of those experiencing violence, 93% reported that it came from clients, 29% from co-workers and 25% from a supervisor.
Staffing issues (understaffing, inadequate funding and heavy workloads) are contributing factors to the violence, bullying and harassment.
55% of overnight staff and 61% of rotational shift workers experienced violence as compared to 33% of workers who work the day shift.

A delegation from the council and assigned staff representatives met with ministry of labour officials on June 4, including the deputy minister and senior policy analyst. Representatives from across the province and from various sectors were also involved.

"Each sector shared stories of violence in the workplace," OPSEU reports. "The meeting was excellent. The provincial government is in the process of making changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act concerning workplace violence." NUPGE

Community services workers affected by workplace violence

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