Being victimized in the workplace is an unfortunate reality for many people. According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, an estimated 3.8 million people were victims of nonfatal workplace violence in the U.S. in 2022. Many of these incidents of violence in the workplace were as unsettling as those commonly associated with street violence in that most left victim physically and, in many cases, psychologically traumatized.
The High Cost of Workplace Violence in America
Studies show that workplace violence involving physical assaults, such as hitting, kicking, or beating, accounts for 83% of emergency hospital visits. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and sprains account for 33% and 12%, respectively. The same studies show that workplace violence costs the U.S. as much as $56 billion annually in terms of healthcare, lost work productivity, and legal expenses. While workplace violence is prevalent across all industries, some industries struggle with it more than others. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workplace violence resulting in homicides and nonfatal intentional injuries are exceedingly common in the following industries:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Hospitality and entertainment
- Law enforcement and security
- Retail
- Transportation
Studies Show Women Are More Likely to Be Victimized at Work Than Men
While men and women are often both victims of workplace violence, it is far more common among women. Available data shows that women were victims in 5.1 per 10,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workplace violence cases that resulted in time away from work in 2019. Meanwhile, men were victims in 2.3 per 10,000 cases.
Workplace Violence in California
California reports more than its fair share of workplace violence, especially those involving fatalities. According to data from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workplace violence contributed to 849 deaths in California in 2022, an increase of over 11.6% compared to the 761 reported in 2021. Separate data from California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CAL/OSHA) revealed that an estimated 450,500 nonfatal injuries stemmed from workplace violence in 2021. Because workplace violence has become so prevalent, California implemented a new workplace violence prevention law.
How California Senate Bill No. 533 Aims To Keep California Workers Safe
Following in the footsteps of Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and New York, California passed Senate Bill No. 533 into law. Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsome, Senate Bill No. 533, which went into effect on July 1st, 2024, requires that California employers have a written comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention Plan. The following are some of the things employers must include in the plan:
- Evacuation or sheltering plans
- How employees will be kept abreast of the results of investigations and corrective actions related to a report of workplace violence
- Informing employees of their right to report any workplace violence concern without fear of reprisal
- Systems in place to notify law enforcement and employees of the presence, location, and nature of workplace violence emergencies
- The process for investigating a report of workplace violence
- The steps necessary for employees to report a violent incident, threat, or other workplace violence concerns
To ensure compliance with Senate Bill No. 533, employers must also maintain a log of all workplace violence incidents. And they must do so even when there are no injuries involved. The log must include dates, times, locations, the type of violence committed, and a detailed description of what happened.
Reporting a Violation of California Senate Bill No. 533
If an employer violates Senate Bill No. 533, employees can report the violation to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). Employees can file a report online by visiting dir.ca.gov or over the phone by calling 833-579-0927.
