Organizational Factors in the Prevention and Management of Violence Against Employees.

Violence against employees in human services is a widespread problem worldwide and is reportedly on the rise. The topic in this article is organizational factors in preventing and managing violence against employees executed by service users. Data comes from 86 semi-structured and structured interviews with 101 employees and managers in one of Norway's most extensive national government agencies. The interviews were conducted in a study of an initiative against violence after an employee was murdered at work. The identified factors are related to (1) recognition of employees´ needs to feel safe and acknowledged, (2) project administration and leadership involvement and anchoring, (3) organizationally aligned and adjusted routines and understandings, (4) a generally increased focus on prevention and management of violence, (5) specific measures and (6) service delivery. The study also disclosed essential relationships between these factors, which must be acknowledged in the work to counteract violence. Workplace violence should be an issue of concern for all levels of management. Recognition of employees´ needs and anchoring in the entire organization are just as important as specific measures against violence. A good delivery of services is an important but sometimes neglected factor in the work against violence. The mentioned elements indicate that several equal organizational factors and measurements must be combined to counteract workplace violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]