Violence

Violence at work involves any incident in which an employee is abused, threatened or assaulted (either physically or verbally) in circumstances relating to their work. For some years now, it has been recognised that violence towards people working in public services is a significant problem and it’s getting worse.

We believe that it is unacceptable that so many workers each year are being assaulted for simply doing their jobs. Many UNISON members work directly with the public in areas where they are often placed at increased risk of being attacked. These include those working in social and health care, community and residential work, law enforcement, housing, and education.

Facts and figures

Many UNISON members work directly with the public in areas where they are often placed at increased risk of being attacked. For example, in Scotland alone, more than 75,000 violent incidents were reported in the 12 months up to April 2025, as revealed in a recent UNISON Scotland survey.

According to Health and Safety Executive statistics (based on the Crime Survey for England and Wales), there were 689,000 incidents of violence at work in 2024/25. UNISON remains steadfast in its determination to create a world of work free from violence and harassment. UNISON encourages employers to sign up to its Violence at work charter mark, which is accessible to all members across the union. 

UNISON End violence at work tool

The UNISON End violence at work tool shows you how many violence incidents were recorded against workers near you – it also enables you to email your councillor and ask them to sign up to UNISON’s charter by presenting a motion to your council and asking fellow councillors to adopt the charter locally. Raising awareness of this issue within your workplace will encourage your employer to take violence at work seriously.

Access the tool below.

UNISON Violence at work charter

The UNISON charter is a useful resource for UNISON reps campaigning for an end to violence at work in public services. When organisations meet the standards in our charter, it shows the workforce and the employers’ stakeholders that they are serious about protecting their staff.

Check the ten standards below.

Our successes

We campaigned successfully for the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 which provided greater protection for those working in the police, emergency service and the NHS. We continue to campaign for the same protection to be extended to all other public service staff.