Responding to Challenging Behaviour - Study Booklet

The Health and Safety at Work Act came into existence in 1974 in order to provide a legal framework within which workplace safety and staff welfare issues could be managed.

Violence in the workplace is one such issue and this programme is designed to provide the reader with a framework for identifying and managing violence in the workplace.

Violence is a concern for staff and management alike.

For employers, violence can lead to poor morale and a poor image for the organization, making it difficult to recruit and keep staff.

It can also mean extra cost, with absenteeism, higher insurance premiums and legal costs.

For employees, violence can cause pain, distress and even disability or death.

Physical attacks are obviously dangerous but serious or persistent verbal abuse or threats can also damage employees' health through anxiety or stress.