A candid look: Is there violence in your workplace?

Last time, we looked at stats on mass shootings and violence at work. This week, we’ll hear from readers about their perspective and experience with violence at work.

Readers were asked to participate in a threequestion survey. First, I defined “workplace violence” as “the act or threat of violence, ranging from verbal abuse to physical assaults directed toward persons at work or on duty. “

There were 75 respondents — the second highest response rate of all ProfPolls. And, while we cannot generalize and draw conclusions, we can benefit from the candid insights that readers shared. These are the questions: How concerned are you that there will be violence in your workplace? (Participants were asked to use a 1 to 5 rating scale — 1 is not concerned at all and 5 is very concerned):

1 — 36.84%

2 — 15.79%

3 — 19.74%

4 — 15.79% 5 — 11.84%

Average Rating — 2.49% Have you ever witnessed, experienced or been an employee where there was violence in the workplace? (Response options: yes, no, other)

No — 72%

Yes — 21%

Other Option* — 7% *summary of these responses includes: Threats of violence, but none carried out; verbal only; not actually on campus, but there was a shooting near campus

Participants who responded “yes” were asked to describe what happened and its impact (these responses have been edited for space)

• A professor brandished a gun in class and then ran through the campus. No one was hurt.

• A patient got angry and threatened a provider at my practice. The patient was so off the chart over nothing that we wondered what else he might do, especially since he had a drug problem and was immediately discharged from the practice.

• Students are verbally aggressive, and in some cases physically, towards a staff member … working in an urban school district I got used it!

• Was a city paramedic for decades and saw many cases — has resulted in my becoming a trained gun owner who carries.

• One employee, who locked a child in closet, screams at other employees for dumb things.

• Fortunately, not at work. But outside of work, I’ve become more concerned and aware.

• Perhaps the most “memorable” experience was when a faculty member threw a chair at