Action against increasing violence in the workplace
Business
According to the ÖGB, the lack of staff and work pressure are the main reasons for increasing violence in the workplace. Even during the lockdowns, there were significantly more serious conflicts in some sectors, according to the unions.
38 percent of those who were enthusiastic would be insulted or insulted at work, women and younger people. In an industry comparison, the health, care and social sectors are affected, according to the union of private employees (GPA). They have now started an action week under the motto: “Safe without violence at work”. In the working world, the pressure has to be relieved.
More attacks on servants
Violent customers or employees release the pressure on colleagues – sexual harassment, bullying, verbal abuse or even physical violence. In the past two employees in retail, there was also a lot of frustration and aggression from customers, seven percent of the cases even through physical violence, says Michael Wörthner, head of the works council at Lidl: “We also have the classic slap. A customer really slapped an employee. The case was then also cleared up by the police.”
Brutal actions in the hospital
Since the beginning of the year, for example, the accident hospital in Salzburg has also listed nine situations in which gross violence was involved, says works council chairman Hans-Peter Kreuzer: “It’s about classic things like hitting, kicking, scratching and biting – mostly when you’re under the influence of alcohol.”
The healthcare industry is demanding under increasing staff shortages. And the sharpness also the potential for conflict. This problem will probably not be solved so quickly, according to Christoph Eschbacher from Lebenshilfe Salzburg: “The pressure on them is so great that they flee the area. In the future, more and more employees will be exposed to this if nothing is done about it.”
reconnaissance and warning
Some companies already have emergency buttons or access controls as a direct protective measure. The union will also clarify. She campaigns for understanding for the widespread, as GPA Managing Director Michael Huber emphasizes: “It’s often about a lack of staff and the availability of goods.”