Thoroughly updated and revised, the third edition of this groundbreaking book examines the full range of aggressive acts that occur in workplaces including homicides, assaults, sexual harassment, threats, bullying, mobbing and verbal abuse. It offers new information and evidence about the incidence and severity of workplace violence in different countries (including examination of some terrorist and mass murder events), identifies occupations and situations at particular risk, evaluates various causal explanations, and details some of the social and economic costs.

Preventive action is possible, and indeed essential, to meet the challenge of a violence-free working environment. Recognizing that workplace violence is not merely an episodic problem created by deranged persons, the authors point out that it is a highly complex issue, rooted in wider economic, employment relationship, organizational, gender and cultural factors. With these issues in mind, the volume evaluates the effectiveness of workplace anti-violence measures and responses such as regulatory innovations, policy interventions, workplace designs that may reduce risks, collective agreements and various "best practice" options.

Stressing the importance of a systematic and targeted preventive response, this study also looks at the existing international initiatives and recommendations that have recently been developed in an effort to end the heavy toll violence inflicts on many of the world's workplaces.

Review of the second edition:

"...this book makes a useful contribution to the current literature for readers such as academics and unionists, especially those concerned with workplace violence from a broad international perspective, and it is an essential reference for government legislators. For managers, the many examples of policies on workplace violence can provide some practical help..."