The Grove Onboarding: Workplace Violence

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Could you spot the early warning signs of workplace violence? In today's office environments, understanding how to recognize, prevent, and respond to potential threats is essential for a safe and supportive workplace. This course empowers you to identify the various forms of workplace violence, take proactive steps to prevent incidents, follow effective reporting procedures, and access vital support resources. Join us to build your confidence and play an active role in creating a safer work environment for everyone.

Course reading content

Why Recognizing Workplace Violence Matters
What Is Workplace Violence?
Types of Workplace Violence Flashcards
Any act of physical force intended to harm another person, such as hitting, pushing, or grabbing.
Physical Assault
Verbal or written statements indicating intent to cause harm or create fear in others.
Repeated, unwanted behavior—including verbal, written, or physical actions—that creates a hostile work environment.
Persistent, aggressive behavior that intimidates, belittles, or undermines another person at work.
Deliberate actions to damage property, disrupt work, or undermine the organization or individuals.
Workplace Violence in Office Environments
Understanding the Four Source Categories
Explore Workplace Violence Source Categories
Criminal Intent
This category involves a person with no legitimate relationship to the workplace who enters to commit a crime. Example: A stranger attempts to enter the office after hours to steal equipment.
Client or Visitor
This category includes individuals who receive services or are connected to someone receiving services from the organization. Example: A visitor becomes verbally aggressive with a staff member after being asked to follow office safety rules.
Worker-on-Worker
This involves current or former employees directing concerning conduct toward another worker. Example: A former employee sends repeated intimidating messages to a current team member.
Personal Relationship
This category covers situations where a personal relationship creates risk at the workplace. Example: An employee reports that an abusive partner may come to the office site.
Behavior-Based Assessment vs. Profiling
Which of the following should guide your response to potential workplace violence?
A person’s appearance
Observable behavior and context
Diagnosis alone
Early Warning Signs and Risk Factors
Team Vigilance and Reporting
Myths and Facts About Workplace Violence
Sorting Myths and Facts about Workplace Violence
Only physical assault counts
Near misses can reveal system hazards
A calm person can never present risk
A diagnosis predicts violence
Repeated unwanted contact should be reported
Verbal de-escalation guarantees safety
Understanding Workplace Violence: Definitions and Warning Signs
Building a Safer Workplace—Everyone Plays a Role
What Does Prevention Look Like in Practice?
Four Levels of Prevention in Workplace Safety
Environmental Controls
These are physical and design features that help keep the workplace safe, such as secure access, good lighting, clear room arrangements, and unobstructed exits. For example, making sure emergency exits are never blocked and reporting any broken locks or lights right away.
Administrative Controls
These are policies and procedures that guide safe behavior, like visitor check-in rules, communication plans, and enforcement of workplace policies. For example, following the sign-in process for guests and participating in regular safety drills.
Work Practice Controls
These are the daily habits and routines that reduce risk, such as using a buddy system when working late, handing off responsibilities clearly, and securing personal items. For example, always letting a coworker know if you’ll be alone in the office after hours.
Reporting and Learning
This level focuses on simple, accessible reporting systems, non-retaliation policies, and learning from past incidents. For example, promptly reporting unsafe conditions or near misses and participating in follow-up discussions to improve safety.
Diverse Office Team Collaborating on Safety
Roles and Responsibilities—Who Does What?
Workplace Safety Roles: Flashcards
Follows safety procedures, reports concerns, and supports coworkers. Example: Notifies supervisor about a suspicious visitor.
Ensures policies are followed, responds to reports, and supports staff. Example: Reviews incident reports and provides feedback.
Maintains reporting systems, ensures confidentiality, and provides support. Example: Coordinates follow-up after a reported incident.
Human Resources
Maintains safe environments and equipment. Example: Fixes broken locks or lighting quickly after a report.
Safety/Facilities
Reporting Procedures—What, When, and How
Recognize and Document
Notice any concerning behavior or unsafe condition and make a brief, factual note of what happened. Documentation helps ensure accuracy.
Reporting Keeps Everyone Safe
Following these steps ensures concerns are handled properly and helps maintain a safe, supportive workplace for all.
Use Approved Channel
Contact the designated supervisor, HR, or safety contact as outlined in your organization’s procedures. Never use informal channels like group chats.
Preserve Evidence
Keep any relevant emails, messages, or photos. Never include real client information or share sensitive details outside the approved process.
Avoid Direct Confrontation
Do not attempt to investigate or confront the person alone. Your safety is the priority—let the system handle the response.
Escalate if Needed
If the situation becomes urgent or dangerous, use the emergency reporting path immediately. Don’t wait if you feel at risk.
If you receive a threatening email from a colleague, what is the correct first step?
Post it in a group chat
Preserve the message and report through the approved channel
Investigate on your own
Non-Retaliation and Confidentiality—Your Rights When Reporting
Confidential Reporting and Support
Practice: Reporting Scenarios
Sort Scenarios into Reporting Categories
You receive repeated intimidating messages from an unknown number.
You overhear a coworker threaten another employee.
You notice a broken lock on an office door.
A colleague shares that they are experiencing domestic issues that may affect s
Someone leaves a coffee mug in the break room overnight.
Report Immediately
Report Through Regular Channel
Not Required to Report
Prevention Strategies and Reporting Procedures
Staying Safe and Supporting Each Other When It Matters Most
Immediate Response: What To Do When a Threat Occurs
Immediate Response During Workplace Violence: Introduction
This lesson outlines the essential steps to take during a workplace violence incident to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Follow these steps to respond effectively and minimize harm.
Summary: Prioritize Safety in a Crisis
Remember: Your actions in the first moments of a crisis can save lives. Stay calm, follow protocols, and prioritize safety above all else.
Assess the Situation
Quickly scan your surroundings for immediate danger. Identify exits, note any changes in behavior, and determine if you or others are at risk.
Create Distance and Ensure Exit
Move away from the source of danger if possible. Keep a clear path to an exit and avoid being cornered or blocking someone’s way out.
Alert Others and Activate Emergency Protocols
Notify colleagues and activate your workplace’s emergency procedures. Use approved methods to call for help, such as designated alarms or emergency contacts.
Do Not Intervene Physically
Unless you are specifically authorized and trained, do not attempt to restrain, search, or disarm anyone. Focus on keeping yourself and others safe.
Provide Approved Information to Responders
When help arrives, give clear, factual information about what happened, where you are, and who is involved. Avoid speculation or sharing unverified details.
What is your first priority if you witness someone display a weapon at work?
Try to talk them down
Create distance and activate the approved emergency response
Finish your current task
Attempt to search or disarm the person
The SPACE Memory Aid: Communicating Safely Under Pressure
The SPACE Memory Aid for Crisis Safety
Notice exits, your distance from the person, and any changes in their behavior. Being aware of your environment helps you make safer decisions.
Position Safely
Keep a safe distance and ensure you have a clear path to an exit. Avoid placing yourself between the person and the door or allowing yourself to be cornered.
Notify the right people as soon as you sense a problem. Early alerts can bring help faster and prevent escalation.
Communicate Calmly if Safe
Use clear, respectful, and brief language. Only attempt to communicate if it is safe to do so—never put yourself at risk to finish a conversation.
Escalate and Exit
If the situation becomes more dangerous, end the interaction and activate emergency help. Leave the area if it is safe to do so.
SPACE in Action: Staying Calm and Alert
Knowing Your Role: Boundaries During a Crisis
Which of the following actions should you avoid during a workplace violence emergency unless specifically authorized and trained?
Creating distance
Activating emergency help
Attempting to search or restrain the person
Giving responders factual information
After the Incident: Documenting and Reporting Objectively
Tips for Effective Post-Incident Documentation
Write down only what you saw and heard, not your opinions or feelings.
Record Observable Facts
If someone says something important, record their exact words in quotation marks.
Note Direct Quotations
Always note when and where the incident happened, and what actions you and others took.
Include Time, Location, Actions
Save emails, messages, or other evidence using approved, secure methods—never personal devices.
Preserve Records Securely
Never change your report after the fact or include unnecessary information that isn’t relevant to the incident.
Do Not Alter or Add Details
Sorting Documentation Statements: Objective vs. Not Objective
At 2:14 p.m., the individual stood, moved within two feet of the supervisor, and
said, ‘I will hurt you.’
Person was out of control and crazy.
Supervisor was notified at 2:16 p.m.
The employee seemed dangerous.
The desk was struck with an open hand.
Documenting for Safety and Learning
Recovery and Support: What Happens Next?
Team-Based Recovery and Support
Responding to and Recovering from Workplace Incidents
Test your understanding of what counts as workplace violence, from verbal threats to physical aggression, and the four common source categories behind it. See how well you can identify behavior-based warning signs, know how to report threats or unsafe conditions, and recognize your right to report concerns without retaliation.
Ask nearby coworkers whether they think the message seems serious first.
Preserve the message and report both concerns through the approved channel.
Take photos of the broken lock and wait until the next team meeting to mention it.
Reply to the coworker directly and tell facilities about the lock later.
You receive a threatening message from a coworker and notice the office door lock near your workspace is broken. What is the best action to take first?
Focus on the employee’s appearance, because visual impressions can reveal who may become dangerous.
Focus on the employee’s background, because personal history is more useful than current actions in judging concern.
Focus on the repeated messages, unwanted presence, and escalation of conduct when deciding next steps.
Focus on the employee’s diagnosis alone, because clinical labels are the clearest guide to workplace risk.
A team lead receives a report that an employee has sent repeated intimidating messages to a coworker and has begun showing up uninvited near that coworker’s workspace. Which response best reflects a behavior-based assessment rather than profiling?
An employee sends repeated threatening messages to a coworker during work hours.
An employee disagrees politely with a teammate during a project meeting.
A visitor completes a security check before entering the office lobby.
A manager gives written feedback that includes clear goals for improvement.
Which example best fits the definition of workplace violence in an office setting?
Evaluate the employee’s performance more closely after the report
Delay action until the employee provides repeated reports
Share the employee’s identity with coworkers for awareness
Protect the employee from adverse treatment for making the report
An employee reports a workplace safety concern in good faith. Which action best reflects the principle of non-retaliation?
Match each source category of workplace violence to the scenario that best illustrates it. Focus on the relationship between the person and the workplace, and use the details in each example to decide which category applies.