New guidance to improve reporting of work-related violence
Rail workers shouldn't face violence or trauma on the job. However, our statistics show more than 94% of frontline staff have experienced work-related violence. 25.6% have experienced physical assaults. After a period of decline, violent incidents on the railway have been rising since 2015.
Understanding the causes
Underreporting and incomplete information mean the rail industry is unable to fully understand the issue. And that means it can’t develop effective solutions either. So our first step needs to make reporting about WRV better.
Practical tips
Our report is designed to be easy to use, especially for senior leaders and managers. It has:
- a summary of common barriers to reporting
- practical tips to help work-related violence be properly reported in an organisation.
Joana Faustino, RSSB’s Principal Health and Wellbeing Specialist, said:
“Work-related violence is a big issue for our frontline staff, with devastating consequences. But research has consistently shown it to be highly underreported. With limited data, comes an impaired understanding of the issue and limitations to preventing and addressing it effectively.
"We need our frontline staff to consistently report their experiences of work-related violence. All of them. But we need to start by understanding why they may not always report. This new document compiles evidence on barriers to reporting, while also offering practical ways to address them, to support rail organisations in creating the right environment for staff to report.
Work-related violence should never be part of the job. The publication of this document is another step towards tackling it.”