AFT logo (reads AFT: Education, Healthcare, Public Services)

Workplace violence

Code Red logo (reads "Code Red: Understaffing = Patient Care Crisis")

Taking Action Against Workplace Violence

Our members and healthcare professionals everywhere have dedicated their careers to caring and healing. Too many have suffered threats, broken bones, concussions, bites, sexual assaults, stabbings, and other injuries at the hands of patients and visitors. Many develop post-traumatic stress disorder from these experiences.

Between 2000 and 2022, the injury rate from workplace violence rose:

  • 181 percent in private hospitals;
  • 143 percent in psychiatric and substance use facilities; and
  • 50 percent in home health agencies.

Inadequate Staffing and Workplace Violence Are Linked

Inadequate staffing and other destabilizing impacts of corporatization in healthcare are often at the root of violence against these workers. According to a study published by the Joint Commission,

  • Nurses and patient care aides experience physical or verbal aggression at least once for every 40 hours worked.
  • The ratio of patients to staff was significantly higher during shifts when aggressive events occurred compared with shifts that had no incidents of violence.

For more information, see the Code Red Workplace Violence handout.

We Are Fighting Back

Workplace violence is predictable and preventable. That’s why the AFT continues to fight for an enforceable federal standard from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that would hold hospitals accountable for creating comprehensive violence prevention plans with genuine input from frontline staff. We support the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act. But we are not waiting for federal action.

For more information, see:

Ask your members of Congress WPV

What the Bill Does

Code Red Takes on Workplace Violence

AFT Nurses and Health Professionals is fighting for safer workplaces by advocating for new or strengthened state laws, strong collective bargaining language and training resources. AFT Connecticut, Oregon Nurses Association, Health Professionals and Allied Employees, Washington State Nurses Association and AFT-Maryland have strengthened existing state workplace violence laws. The Montana Nurses Association, Ohio Nurses Association and AFT Vermont have won new laws.   

Legislative, bargaining and training resources for state and local leaders are available through the Code Red Workplace Violence Prevention Toolkit.