Responding to Workplace Violence

Hey Learners,

It is an unfortunate reality that not all workplaces will be consistently safe. Clients may act in disrespectful ways or display inappropriate behaviours. Inappropriate behaviour is defined as occurring “when one party does not consent to expressions or action from another person”.

In your role of supporting people’s physical health and wellbeing, you may find clients who may not be respectful of your role or safety. Some clients may harass or verbally intimidate you, while others may escalate to threatening physical violence. If these situations occur, it is important to ensure your organisation will support you and can handle these situations effectively.

Building a healthy, respectful, and safe fitness culture in the workplace is key to preventing misconduct before it happens. Workplaces can do this by:

• Establishing clear safety policies and codes of conduct for both workers and clients
• Providing training for staff to know policies and codes of conduct, recognise when situations are unsafe and how to manage theirs and others’ safety, and handle the aftermath effectively
• Ensuring that there are clear, confidential, and accessible reporting systems that allow people to make complaints without retribution and with the security that claims will be investigated promptly
• Implementing consequences for misconduct and providing appropriate support to victims
• Building a culture of health and safety where every person is valued. This involves supporting respect, boundaries, and people’s wellbeing

Every person has the right to feel safe at their workplace. You can access further resources through organisations such as unions, Safe Work Australia, and other government agencies. You can also access guidance material on preventing workplace violence and aggression here.

Remember to stay safe, learners!