Key facts

Aggression or violent behaviour is when employees are abused, threatened or assaulted in a situation related to their work.

It can come from anywhere, such as from colleagues, clients, customers or the public.

Aggression or violent behaviour can have immediate and long-term negative impacts on those involved, including those who witness the aggression or violence.

Experiences of aggression or violent behaviour:

  • rose to 17.6% of employees from 17.5% in 2023.

Among the employees who experienced aggression or violent behaviour:

  • 72.9% said it was from a client, customer, patient or stakeholder
  • abusive language, intimidating behaviour and threats of violence were the most common types.

Employees who experienced aggression or violence



Type of aggression or violence



Source of the aggression or violence

The results may add up to more than 100% because employees could choose more than one answer.



Working relationship



Who employees told

The results may add up to more than 100% because employees could choose more than one answer.



Why employees didn’t submit a formal complaint

The results may add up to more than 100% because employees could choose more than one answer.



Satisfaction with how the complaint was handled



Data sets, key terms and how we prepare data