Campaign against aggression and violence

“We are often unkind to each other”, says SIRE. That is why the organisation has started a new campaign to help people to be nicer to each other. Whether this is at work, in traffic, in public transport, on the sports field or on social media. The Dutch campaign is called #DOESLIEF and is aimed at everyone who wants all the shouters, cursers, tailgaters, antisocials, bullies, troublemakers, harassers and spitters to do something better. Part of the #DOESLIEF package is a set of fun .gifs, which can be sent online.

Unwanted situations in the workplace

At the workplace it is possible to get confronted with not only unkind behavior, but also aggression and wrongdoing. FNV has handy tips that can be used at the workplace. After all, according to the Working Conditions Act, everyone is entitled to be safe at their workplace and each employer is responsible for that. Here are some ideas to keep in mind:

  • Ensure good safety measures. Such as a secure vault, camera surveillance, good alarm system, escape routes.
  • Rely on working procedures that prevent risky and dangerous situations. For example, always open and close the store with 2 people.
  • Does aggression and violence often occur at the workplace? Then the employer should provide a training on how to deal with such situations.
  • Are there new adjustments or improvements to the safety measures? Then the employer should make sure that employees are informed about them.

Useful tips

FNV also provides tips on how to prevent aggression and violence in the workplace. Below you can find them listed.

  1. The employee comes first: your own safety and that of other people is always of the highest importance. Also in the case of working in an environment where violence and aggression have to be dealt with.
  2. In the event of serious violence (for example in the event of an ongoing robbery) the CAHL rules can help:
    Calm: Try to keep the peace at all times.
    Accept orders: Listen to what the aggressor asks of you and follow the orders.
    Hand off: Give the money or goods when the robber asks for them.
    Look: Try to remember what the perpetrator looks like. This can help to make a description later.
  3. Call for help: always try to work with a colleague in your area. If there is an incident, within a few minutes there should be professional help available, such as police or ambulance.
  4. Evaluate: investigate the incident with your supervisor afterwards. For example, record damage and make a declaration. The supervisor can inform you about the necessary steps to take. Also be sure to ask your supervisor whenever you need help in handling the event.
  5. Prevention is better than cure: look at what is needed to prevent a recurrence or to take a different approach. Discuss that with your supervisor and colleagues. For example, consider a “Dealing with aggression”  training, or an alarm button at your workplace.
  6. Aggression can be also caused by stress, it is useful to identify the reason of irrational action of coworkers. Effective coping with stress at work is a training that can be handy to help manage tensions at work.