The Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise compiles existing knowledge about exposure to threats and violence from third parties within a selection of public services. Threats and violence in working life from third parties means that violence and threats are exercised by, for example, customers, patients, users or students.
The focus will be especially on the female-dominated sectors of care, school and care. The trend in these sectors is that threats and violence from third parties are increasing in scope. The results will be reported in 2024.
Physical and mental violence from third parties can have a negative impact on the work environment, which in turn can lead to sick leave and mental illness. But the connection can also go the other way, a negative work environment where employees are exposed to stress is also a breeding ground for threats and violence. Unfortunately, we see that this is more widespread in female-dominated professions and businesses. Personnel in institutional care are particularly exposed to threats and violence.
Knowledge about exposure to threats and violence from third parties
The project aims to compile existing knowledge about exposure to threats and violence from third parties within a selection of public services and identify organisational countermeasures to reduce and counteract the vulnerability of personnel. We assess that an enhanced ability to prevent and address issues of threats and violence has a significant potential impact on the work environment.
The assignment involves:
- Study the effects of threats and violence at work on the employees’ work environment and work situation.
- Identify countermeasures to reduce and counter staff exposure.
The results will be reported in 2024.