The rise of workplace violence may not be a comfortable topic of discussion, but it is an essential one nonetheless. NCCI recently analyzed data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and found that there was an upward trend in workplace assaults, increasing at an annualized rate of 5.3% per year from 2011 to 2021–22, marking a 77% increase overall. This is a concerning trend as it alludes to a distinct increase in threats to employee safety on the job, even without accounting for workplace hazards and safety threats from daily operations.
This threat to employee safety in the form of workplace violence is most distinct in the field of health care, however, it isn’t the only industry that should be wary. Employees who feel threatened on the job are hardly ever in a position to perform their roles well, making this safety concern an unavoidable priority for employers.
The rise of workplace violence should be a top concern for employers, requiring their immediate attention towards building safeguards. (Image: Pexels)
Workplace Violence Is on the Rise: What The Data Has to Say
The National Council on Compensation Insurance’s (NCCI) recent exploration of BSL data showed workplace assault rising by 5.3% per year from 2011-2022. Additionally, the rate of workplace assaults per 10,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers also increased by 62%. The share of assaults among all of the days away from work (DAFW) cases went up from 1.3% in 2011 to 2.3% in 2019. A drop was witnessed in this number from 2022, but primarily due to the pandemic and the many restraints it put on the workforce. Soon enough, this number went up to 3.0% in 2023–24.
The workplace assault statistics for the U.S. also showed that workplace violence was a bigger threat for women, with them experiencing assaults at a rate 2.7 times higher than men. Part of this is the natural tendency to direct greater violence towards women, but in this scenario, it also has something to do with the industry. Threats to employee safety and the possibility of workplace violence are highest in the health care and social assistance workforce. Considering that women make up a large majority of these high-risk industries, their chances of encountering violence are also higher.
We have witnessed this rise in violence within the workplace ourselves in recent years. In 2025, a shooter entered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and left considerable destruction in his wake. While this was an external threat levied against employees, other threats persist from colleagues and coworkers as well.
What Is the Impact of This Rising Workplace Violence?
Whether we discuss this violence against women in the workplace or the general rise of workplace assault, one thing is clear: the workplace is being destabilized by unwelcome behavior. There are many causes for workplace violence, which include divisive policy changes, increasing discussions of politics and personal beliefs at work, and a growing desire for power at work. Behaviors that are being normalized in public are now being performed within the workspace as well, and there is a general atmosphere of negativity among workers.
Regardless of the causes behind the workplace violence, the result is the alienation of the workforce and a rise in strained workplace relationships. Unhappy employees may band together with some coworkers over their shared struggles, but this is hardly ideal grounds for building connections at work. Employees at odds with each other may be unable to set aside their differences until the problem is addressed and resolved, which can sour the overall atmosphere.
Worse still is the threat to employee safety. Employees may enter a contract to work for the employer in exchange for monetary rewards, but employers also have the job of ensuring worker safety while the job is performed. Checking equipment and upgrading machinery is part of this requirement, but protecting employees from each other or from external threats is just as vital to maintaining a workplace where employees aren’t always on edge.
Addressing This Upward Trajectory of Assault Is Critical For Every Employer
Workplace violence statistics for 2026 from Medscape found that within the medical field, around 43% of physicians who work in medical practice offices feel only slightly protected from violence or worse, with 40% in hospitals agreeing. The threat of workplace assault and violence may be highest in this field, but the problem is evident across industries. Addressing these safety concerns can no longer be an afterthought and should be treated as a workplace priority as far as possible.
Not only could this help with building a better work culture or better atmosphere for workers, but it could also reduce absenteeism, workplace conflict, and high turnover numbers. Identifying and penalizing the culprits is, of course, the most pressing consideration, but there are many other safety systems to explore as well. Creating a safe space for employees to share their experiences, installing cameras and buzzers to enable employees to call for help, improving control over staff-only areas, and conducting training on workplace safety are just a few examples of how this can be achieved.
With workplace violence on the rise, employers must look at the well-being of the workers as a top priority before focusing on aspects like their productivity or performance. Additional regulations regarding workplace safety are being set in place in regions like New York, but even without specific laws, such planning is essential. In an environment that is toxic or unsafe, employees are rarely in top form, and any reviews of their performance don’t paint the full picture of their capabilities. Eradicating threats and ensuring the workplace is a safe and welcoming environment for workers is the first step towards building a strong, resilient, and united workforce.
Have you witnessed signs of this increasing violence in the workplace? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.
