EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND ENFORCEMENT CONCERNING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

To advocate that federal, state, and local governments recognize the risks and consequences of workplace violence in the pharmacy community and enact appropriate criminal penalties; further,

To collaborate with federal, state, and local law enforcement and other government authorities on methods for early detection and prevention of workplace violence; further,

To encourage all workplace environments to develop and implement a policy for pharmacy personnel that (1) educates about prevention and deterrence of workplace violence, (2) identifies escalating situations that can lead to violence and instructs employees on protection and self-defense, and (3) provides continued support and care to heal personnel who were directly or indirectly involved in an incident of workplace violence; further,

To encourage the health care community to develop and maintain a communication network to share information about incidents of potential and real workplace violence.

Rationale

Workplace violence is defined by the U.S. Department of Labor as “…any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site.” Although workplace violence is a widespread public health issue, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recognized that workplace violence in healthcare settings is almost four times greater than in private industry. Pharmacists are high-risk targets due to their public proximity and their access to drugs and money in a pharmacy. This issue has grown in prominence as a result of rising levels of violence in healthcare workplaces as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. OSHA provides guidelines for the creation and implementation of programs for preventing workplace violence for healthcare and social services workers.