3 careers with an increased risk of workplace violence

On Behalf of | Jan 21, 2025 | Workplace Injuries

Violence in the workplace has always been a safety issue. However, recent years have seen a slow but alarming increase in violent workplace statistics. Even those who expect a safe work environment may face violence at work due to co-worker or customer instability.

Some jobs, such as working in security or law enforcement, obviously come with a degree of risk. People recognize that they could face violence when they accept jobs in certain higher-risk professions.  However, when looking at workplace injury statistics involving violent incidents, professions not commonly associated with violence stand out as the most affected.

Which careers may be more likely to expose professionals to violence in the form of assault, robbery or other crimes?

1. Retail and service work

The statistics about workplace violence make it clear that service sector employees have the highest degree of risk. Customers may become agitated and aggressive over perceived inconveniences when shopping or returning items to the store.

Retail or service workers may also end up involved in attempts at robbery or shoplifting that turn violent. Those in the service sector may also have to break up altercations between patrons, which could result in them sustaining major injuries as well.

2. Health care jobs

People working in healthcare, including nurses and other hospital employees, are at greater risk than the general public of experiencing violence on the job.

Factors including intoxication, mental health challenges and poor reactions to treatment can lead to people behaving in aggressive and irrational manners. Healthcare workers can sustain serious and even career-ending injuries when patients suddenly become violent.

3. Education careers

The education sector has seen an increase in violence, often initiated by students. Teachers and other professionals employed by schools are at risk of physical injury on the job. Even elementary and middle school professionals are vulnerable to workplace violence.

Those injured by criminal activity and interpersonal violence may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. They may also be able to pursue a third-party claim against the violent individual who injured them.

Reviewing the details of a workplace violence incident and the injuries that resulted from it could help people optimize the compensation they receive. A combination of workers’ compensation benefits and third-party litigation may help people cover the losses generated when violence erupts on the job