Workplace Violence in Community Based Care and Support Services

Abstract

This reports on a survey of support workers' experience of workplace violence. It surveyed support workers and managers from: -home and community support -mental health and addiction support -disability support Key findings include that almost 80% of support workers experience some kind of workplace violence regularly. Of this, Māori and other ethnic groups so experience workplace violence that targets their ethnicity. Support workers also experience workplace violence that targets their gender. The impact of workplace violence is significant, and impacts support workers personally, how they can do their job, and even if they continue to work in the same career. Workplace violence is largely tolerated as 'part of the job' and there are considerable trainings gaps across these sectors aimed at preventing workplace violence.