{"id":2178,"date":"2023-01-13T16:43:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-14T00:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/safecarebc.ca\/?p=2178"},"modified":"2023-08-22T16:43:56","modified_gmt":"2023-08-22T23:43:56","slug":"leaders-have-a-unique-role-in-shaping-a-workplace-culture-that-promotes-violence-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/?p=2178","title":{"rendered":"Leaders have a unique role in shaping a workplace culture that promotes violence prevention\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 2023, SafeCare BC launched a new initiative called 12 Months of Safety<\/a> \u2013 which focuses on a new health and safety topic each month. This January, we\u2019re exploring violence prevention in the workplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We all want our people to go home safe to their families every day \u2013 free from injury and illnesses acquired at work. We also know that long-term care and community health staff face a higher risk of workplace violence from residents, clients, families, and others. Workplace violence is the second leading cause of injury for long-term care workers in British Columbia and the third leading cause of injury amongst community health support workers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As leaders in continuing care, you have a unique role in shaping a workplace culture in which employees feel safe reporting violent acts with the confidence that there will be follow-up. And while reporting, investigation, and follow-up actions are critical when a violent incident occurs\u2013a successful violence prevention program stops the incident from happening in the first place.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long-term and community care are complex environments with unique risk factors for violence \u2013 such as the increased acuity of residents and clients, staffing shortages, and the physical space. But workplace violence is a health and safety risk with specific causes. A violence prevention program should focus on actions that prevent violent incidents from occurring in the first place \u2013 rather than reacting to events after they\u2019ve happened.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some things to consider in our workplace violence prevention strategy: <\/p>\n\n\n\n