Eurofound (2015), Violence and harassment in European workplaces: Extent, impacts and policies. Dublin.

“This report presents the extent of workplace violence and harassment in the EU28 and Norway. It is based on national – level surveys conducted between 2009 and 2013, as well as on results from Eurofound’s fifth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS). It analyses the links between working conditions and violence and harassment at work, indicates the impact on workers and companies, and compares the policies that governments and social partners have developed to address the issue. Evidence from the EWCS shows divergent trends over time: physical violence is declining, while other forms of adverse social behaviour (ASB) persist. Overall, 14% of workers in 2010 reported having been subjected to at least one type of ASB. National sources of information show small increases in violence and harassment over time across Europe, due largely to increases in third – party violence (an increasing proportion of the workforce being in direct contact with customers, clients, patients and students). However, it is difficult to draw definite conclusions; different forms of violence may interrelate and overlap, creating difficulties in distinguishing between them. Being subjected to violence and harassment at work has a marked impact on workers’ health and productivity and undermines the sustainability of work over the life course. Working conditions – such as greater work intensity, greater psychological and physical job demands, greater job insecurity, workplace conflict and poor managerial practices – can foster a greater likelihood of violence and harassment at work.”