Creating a workplace free of violence

The healthcare sector has one of the highest levels of workplace violence for employees, with patient-related violence the most common type. However, aggression between healthcare colleagues also exists, referred to as horizontal violence – intimidating remarks that belittle a colleague in front of others, bullying or harassment.

In 2009, the NHS received a $120,000 Healthy Workplace Environment grant from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to develop a Workplace Violence Prevention Program. The funding has helped to support several initiatives for front-line and management staff, and is co-ordinated by Barb Dixon, Human Resources, in collaboration with a steering committee.

More than 110 staff participated in education on workplace violence and bullying. Certified instructors from Safe Management Group Inc. provided a two-day program to 33 clinical staff in high-risk areas, such as ER, Complex Continuing Care and Mental Health. Eight staff completed training in an advanced five-day train-the-trainer program and are now preparing to teach others the certified program in a half-day or one-day session. Five trainers also completed an additional day of elderly-focused training. As well, 12 managers were trained in alternate dispute resolution techniques to help resolve conflicts in the workplace.

Another group of employees completed three days of facilitator training to be able to offer educational workshops on such topics as effective communication and giving and receiving feedback in regards to workplace relations.

Partnering to Evaluate Improvements

The NHS collaborated with the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario to develop and test a Workplace Violence Prevention Toolkit for RPNs. We also partnered with researchers from Brock University and Metrics@Work to help evaluate what had the most positive impact on the work climate.
Once staff learned different ways to improve workplace relations, they began to demonstrate positive behaviours on their units, specifically around working together as a team. A pre- and post-survey was used to measure changes in one particular unit and we are very pleased with the positive results. Staff satisfaction improved significantly with Manager, Charge Nurse and co-worker relationships. Overall, respectful behaviours improved and disrespectful behaviours decreased among colleagues and physicians.

Study results present very strong evidence that the educational interventions had a positive impact. It’s important to note that this is a long road to be travelled by each of us and that self-assessment of our own behaviours is a key step.

The NHS is committed to building on the great work already begun to lead and sustain more cultural changes in workplace relations and violence prevention. Violence prevention training has already started this year with a Safe Management Group program Jan. 26 and 27 and another five-day program Feb 8 – 12, using the successful train-the-trainer model. Stay tuned for more on the NHS Workplace Violence Prevention Program! Contact Human Resources at ext. 44200 for more information or go to source•net. «