Marvin OnumonuEight in 10 workers have experienced abuse at work in the past year, according to survey findings from the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
More than half of workers surveyed said they face violence or abuse weekly or more, while 17% said it happened monthly.
19% had been physically assaulted and 10% had faced sexual harassment or sexual violence at work in the past 12 months.
Verbal abuse, such as shouting, insults or threats, was reported by 79%.
Nearly 45% said they experienced threats of physical harm.
Most respondents were in public-facing roles, with 39% working in transport, 12% in education, 10% in prisons or secure facilities, 5% in health and social care, and 15% working in central or local government.
Asked who was responsible for the violence and abuse, 46% named customers, 36% passengers, 15% other members of the public, 11% pupils or students, 9% colleagues, and 9% managers.
When asked about the impact of the most severe incidents, nearly half feared for their safety, 14% were physically injured, 9% needed medical treatment, 26% required police involvement, 17% had to take time off work, and 33% experienced mental trauma.
Among those who did not report incidents, 52% said violence is seen as “part of the job”, while 34% said they felt it would not be taken seriously.
Paul Nowak, general secretary at the TUC, said: “It doesn’t matter what you do for a living – violence at work is never ‘part of the job’.
“Nobody should go to work fearing for their safety, but that is the reality for thousands of our vital frontline workers.
“The Tories left the HSE in tatters and left the current government cleaning up their mess.”
Nowak added: “But ministers must reinvest in the HSE, so we have more inspectors visiting workplaces and enforcing safety rules.
“My message to anyone worried about their safety and welfare at work is to join a union.
“We know that unionised workplaces are safer because union reps work with employers to reduce risks.”
