WorkSafe Victoria has launched a new campaign highlighting the need for employers and the community to come together to stamp out violence in the workplace, including within the healthcare industry.

Work-related violence has a devastating impact on workers and can cause severe mental and physical injuries.

WorkSafe claims data shows that while only 2.5 per cent of claims relate to violent or aggressive incidents in the workplace, many incidents are unreported.

These can range from verbal abuse and yelling, spitting, swearing, demeaning language to gendered violence and physical assault.

The new campaign has appeared across major television, radio, online and in print media with the simple message that violence in the workplace is never okay.

It builds on the previous Its Never Ok campaign, which focussed on workplace violence and aggression towards healthcare workers.

Featuring incidents from the healthcare worker’s perspective, the campaign aims to remind employers and the community that violence and abuse is never ‘just part of the job’.

It does not matter if it is a nurse, doctor, waiter, bar tender or bus driver, everyone has a right to a healthy and safe workplace.

A series of videos detailing the experiences of real healthcare staff and public transport workers will also be launched online and through social media to show the challenges faced by real workers.

WorkSafe is also running additional education and awareness campaigns with employers to remind them of their obligations to protect workers from violence and aggression in the workplace.

This includes targeted inspection programs in the high risk healthcare and corrections industries and the provision of new guidance for employers.

WorkSafe Chief Executive Colin Radford said the campaign would send a clear message to the Victorian community that everyone deserves to be treated with respect while at work.

“Just because someone works in healthcare, or in volatile situations does not mean they should be exposed to work-related violence or aggression,” Mr Radford said.

“As a community we need to recognise this behaviour is unacceptable, because of the crippling psychological and physical trauma it can have on the health of those subject to it.

“Violence in the workplace is never okay, no matter if you are another worker, customer or member of the public.”

For more information on the work-related violence visit: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/work-related-violence-guide-employers