30 Startling Workplace Violence Statistics [2026]: Statistics On Workplace Violence In The US

Research Summary. Workplace violence remains a critical issue that organizations across the United States are increasingly addressing. With millions affected annually, our comprehensive data analysis has revealed important insights into the state of workplace violence:

• Approximately 2 million individuals are victims of workplace violence each year in the United States.

• The healthcare and social assistance sectors report an 8.2% incident rate for workplace violence.

• Fatalities resulting from workplace violence are about 75% more common for men compared to women.

• American businesses incur losses averaging $250 to $330 billion annually due to workplace violence.

• 85% of workplace violence fatalities stem from robbery incidents.

• In 2020 alone, workplace assaults led to 20,050 injuries and 392 fatalities.

For an in-depth look, explore our detailed sections on:
Assault and Fatality | Demographics | Industry | Corporate Policies | Cost | Other

General Workplace Violence Statistics

• 68% of global workers feel unsafe at work.

  The majority of workers worldwide express dissatisfaction with workplace safety measures. A recent survey of 2,000 employees in organizations with over 500 staff indicated that 68% do not feel safe at their workplace. Remote workers report even higher levels of concern, with 75% expressing skepticism about their safety in traditional work settings, and 23% stating they would consider leaving their job if required to return to an office.

• 94% of American workers have experienced bullying at least once.

  A significant survey revealed that 94% of U.S. employees reported experiencing workplace bullying, up from 75% in 2008. Of those, 51.1% indicated that their bully was a boss or manager. Additional bullying tactics included aggressive email tones (23.3%), negative gossip from coworkers (20.2%), and verbal outbursts (17.8%).

• Nearly half of HR professionals report workplace violence incidents.

  About 48% of HR professionals in the U.S. indicated that their organizations have experienced workplace violence, an increase from 36% in 2012.

Workplace Violence Assault and Fatality Statistics

• In 2019, there were 454 fatal workplace violence incidents in the U.S.

  Many of these fatalities resulted from assaults and robberies, accounting for 9% of all fatal work injuries that year.

• Nearly 400,000 aggravated assaults occur in workplaces annually.

  Workplace violence encompasses a significant number of assaults, with approximately 396,000 occurring each year. Additionally, around 51,000 rapes and sexual assaults are reported in U.S. workplaces yearly, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey.

• Robbery accounts for 85% of workplace violence deaths.

  Approximately 84,000 workplace robberies occur each year, and experts estimate that they account for about 85% of all workplace violence fatalities.

• Workplace violence constitutes less than 10% of fatal work injuries.

  In 2019, workplace violence represented 9% of all fatal work injuries in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Workplace Violence by Demographics

• Roadway incidents are a leading cause of workplace violence deaths for both genders.

  Roadway incidents accounted for 24% of fatal workplace violence incidents involving men and 20% involving women. Homicides were the second leading cause for women, while falls, slips, and trips were second for men.

• Young employees are at higher risk of workplace violence.

  Employees aged 20 to 34 are most likely to experience workplace violence, with a rate of 16 out of 1,000. Other age groups report lower victimization rates.

• The majority of workplace violence fatalities are male.

  In 2019, 366 of the 454 workplace violence fatalities were male.

• White workers experience workplace violence incidents at higher rates.

  Out of 1,000 employees, approximately 13 White employees and 10.4 Black employees are involved in workplace violence incidents annually.

Workplace Violence by Industry

• High-risk occupations include those that handle money or interact with the public.

  Healthcare professionals, delivery personnel, public service workers, and law enforcement face the highest risks of workplace violence, as noted by OSHA.

• Healthcare and social services report the highest rates of workplace violence.

  These sectors report 69% of physical and 71% of non-physical workplace violence incidents due to the nature of their work.

• Violence against healthcare workers is significantly higher than in other sectors.

  About 75% of all workplace violence incidents involve healthcare professionals.

• 25% of emergency care nurses report experiencing physical violence at work.

  Hospitals are recognized as one of the most dangerous work environments, with over 221,000 work-related injuries reported in 2019.

Corporate Policies on Workplace Violence Statistics

• 55% of employees are unaware of emergency preparedness plans.

  Only 45% of workers know about their company’s workplace violence prevention programs.

• Half of workers feel management does not prioritize their safety.

  54% believe their workplace managers have not taken adequate steps to ensure safety.

• Nearly 80% of companies are unprepared for active shooter situations.

  Despite concerns, many organizations lack proactive measures against potential threats.

• 55% of HR professionals are unsure about workplace violence prevention programs.

  Many HR professionals lack awareness or knowledge of protocols during violent incidents.

• An estimated 25% of workplace violence incidents go unreported.

  OSHA data indicates that a significant portion of incidents are never formally documented.

Cost of Workplace Violence

• The average out-of-court settlement for workplace violence incidents is around $500,000.

  Jury awards can reach up to $3 million in severe cases.

• Workplace violence costs American businesses billions annually.

  Losses due to violence can reach $250 to $330 billion each year, impacting productivity and reputation.

Other Workplace Violence Statistics

• States with larger populations have higher workplace violence rates.

  California, Texas, Florida, and New York report the most incidents.

• Approximately 350 people are shot and killed at work annually.

  In 2017, 351 workplace shooting deaths were recorded.

Workplace Violence FAQ

1. Which occupation has the highest rate of workplace violence?

   Healthcare and social service occupations lead in workplace violence rates. Workers in these industries experience an 8.2% incident rate, representing a significantly higher risk compared to the national average.

2. Is violence in the workplace increasing?

   Yes, workplace violence has seen an uptick recently. Current estimates suggest that 25% of incidents go unreported, while approximately 2 million incidents are still recorded yearly.

3. What is the most common cause of workplace violence?

   Robbery is the leading cause. It accounts for 85% of workplace violence deaths, with other common causes being assaults and roadway incidents.

4. Who is the most common perpetrator of workplace violence?

   Customers and clients are the most frequent perpetrators. This group includes various individuals, such as clients and patients, as well as personal acquaintances in cases of intimate partner violence.

5. What percentage of workplace violence incidents are not reported?

   Approximately 25% of incidents go unreported. Many victims are reluctant to report due to distrust in their employer’s handling of the situation.

Conclusion

Workplace violence remains a significant concern for businesses nationwide, with many employees still feeling unsafe at work. Despite ongoing efforts to address this pervasive issue, the rates of both incidents and fatalities have risen. Healthcare professionals, particularly those in emergency care settings, remain at the highest risk.

Occupations that frequently interact with the public or handle monetary transactions are more susceptible to various forms of workplace violence, including bullying, assault, and robbery. With millions impacted each year, the implications for businesses are profound, leading to lost revenue, reputational damage, and increased employee turnover. Although steps are being taken to mitigate workplace violence, the path forward remains challenging.

References

1. Society for Human Resource Management. “Understanding Workplace Violence Prevention and Response.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

2. Forbes. “New Study Says Workplace Bullying On Rise: What You Can Do During National Bullying Prevention Month.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

3. International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety Foundation. “Mitigating the Risk of Workplace Violence in Health Care Settings.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

4. United States Department of Labor. “Workplace Violence.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

5. United States Bureau of Justice Statistics. “National Crime Victimization Survey.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

6. Forbes. “Healthcare Remains America’s Most Dangerous Profession Due To Workplace Violence.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

7. Honeywell. “Honeywell Survey Reveals 68% Of Surveyed Workers Do Not Feel Completely Safe In Their Buildings.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

8. Society for Human Resource Management. “Workplace Violence: A Growing Threat, Or Growing in Awareness?” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

9. Society for Human Resource Management. “Survey: Half of HR Pro’s Workplaces Experienced Violence.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

10. Denverite. “Homicide is a Leading Cause of Workplace Death for Women.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

11. Business Insider. “Nurses Say Patients Are Getting More Abusive, and Simple Questions Can Set Them Off.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

12. Marketplace. “Is Your Office Prepared for a Workplace Shooting?” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

13. Alert Find. “Workplace Violence Statistics 2018: A Growing Problem.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

14. United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Homicides and Other Workplace Assaults by Gender in 2019.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

15. United States Bureau of Justice Statistics. “Special Report: Violence In The Workplace.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

16. Rave Mobile Safety. “The Latest on Workplace Violence Statistics.” Accessed on October 15, 2023.

Author

Elsie Boskamp

Elsie is an experienced writer, reporter, and content creator. As a leader in her field, Elsie is best known for her work as a Reporter for The Southampton Press, but she can also be credited with contributions to Long Island Pulse Magazine and Hamptons Online. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Stony Brook University and currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee.