What should my employer do to protect me?

Employers have clear legal obligations to prevent violence and threats happening to you at work. These hazards should be tackled in the same way as any other risk you face at work.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines violence at work as: 'Any incident in which an employee is abused, threatened or assaulted by a member of the public in the course of their employment'.

In its Guidance, Violence at Work, the HSE urges employers to adopt a four-stage management process to control violence:

• Stage 1: Assess the risks of violence you face by consulting with you, looking closely at the work you do, and keeping good records of incidents.
• Stage 2: Decide who might be harmed, and how, and take steps to eliminate or reduce risks to acceptable levels. Examples include safe procedures for home visits, guidance on handling abusive phone calls, and safer cash handling.
• Stage 3: Provide you with advice and training on safe systems of working, and encourage you to report incidents.
• Stage 4: Regularly check safety procedures, and improve them if necessary.

For more details on HSE advice see HSE Guidance for employers on Violence at Work.