OSH policies a ‘direct entry point’ for addressing workplace violence, ILO says

Geneva, Switzerland — Around 20% of workers worldwide have reported some form of violence or harassment, according to a recent report from the International Labour Organization. 

“This issue can affect all types of workplaces and can also occur during commutes, work-related trips, events, digital communications, social activities and in home-based offices,” a press release from ILO states.

For the report, researchers looked at laws and regulations addressing violence and harassment from different regions in 25 countries. They found that approximately two-thirds of those laws and regulations were established through workplace safety and health or labor legislation, leading the researchers to conclude that occupational safety and health “represents one of the most direct entry points for addressing the problem.”

The release adds: “OSH policies are more detailed in outlining preventive strategies and defining the responsibilities of employers and workers when compared to other regulatory approaches.”