Health & Safety

The prevalence of violence in healthcare is reported to be greater than in other occupational settings. Research has found, for example, that nurses are subjected to more acts of violence than police officers or prison guards. To examine the prevalence of violence in Ontario Long-Term Care sector, CUPE/OCHU conducted a poll of over 1200 workers in the sector. This poll was conducted in January 2019, by Public Polling to investigate the prevalence of violence against staff and related stress in Ontario’s long-term care facilities.

Fill in the survey The prevalence of violence in healthcare is reported to be greater than in other occupational settings. Research has found, for example, that nurses are subjected to more acts of violence than police officers or prison guards. The International Council of Nurses reported that “Nurses are the healthcare workers most at risk, with female nurses considered the most vulnerable.” According to a recent U.S. study published in the New England Journal of Medicine:

Workplace violence is a serious hazard that many CUPE members face every day. The purpose of this kit is to provide members with resources to help protect them against violence and harassment in the workplace. Far too often, employers develop policies and procedures that only react to violence and harassment. This approach is not good enough. CUPE’s new kit focuses primarily on preventing violence and harassment in the workplace before it happens.