Definition

A working definition of workplace violence might be:

"Assaults, other violent acts or threats which occur in or are related to the workplace and entail a substantial risk of physical or emotional harm to individuals, or damage to government resources or capabilities."

This includes all type of perpetrators such as:

Outsiders: Someone who has no legitimate relationship with the victim or workplace and usually enter the workplace to commit a robbery or other criminal act.

Customer: Someone who is a recipient of a service provided by the affected workplace or victim.

Employee: Someone who has an employment-related relationship with the workplace victim. You may have current or former employees in this situation.

Employee-related outsider: Someone who is possibly a current or former spouse/lover, a relative, acquaintance or some other person who has a dispute involving an employee of the workplace.