New rules should protect against violence and intimidation in the workplace

A health professional.Photo: Heiko Junge / SCANPIX NB Modellklarert.

The government has adopted new rules which obliges the employer to better ensure and monitor employees who are exposed to violence and threats.

– We have fought too long, says Manager, Mimmi Kvisvik in common organization (Fellesorganisasjonen).

Between 2011 and 2014 there was a doubling in the number of people who were reported injured as a result of violence and intimidation at work, according to figures from the Labour Inspectorate.

The ones who often experience violence and threats are those who work in health and social care and in public administration.

The new rules include a requirement to assess the risks that workers are exposed to violence or threats, training in prevention and management of violence and threat situations are required and companies need to monitor employees who are exposed to violence and threats in a good way afterwards.

– It is important to take threats and violence in the workplace seriously. It is gratifying that most of our proposals are considered and hopefully within a year we could see the result, says Kvisvik.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today