Quick Answer
What is physical abuse in the workplace? Physical abuse at work is any act of physical violence, or threat of it, against a worker. Examples include hitting, pushing, spitting, throwing objects or using a weapon. It can come from co-workers, managers, customers, patients or members of the public. It is a criminal offence and a work health and safety hazard that employers must manage. Serious workers’ compensation claims for workplace violence and assault rose 56% between 2017-18 and 2021-22.
In this guide
What Is Physical Abuse in the Workplace?
Physical abuse in the workplace is any form of physical violence or harm inflicted upon an employee by another person in the workplace. This can include things like hitting, pushing, shoving, or even throwing objects. Physical abuse can also include the use of weapons or the threat of violence.
Examples of Physical Abuse at Work
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Direct physical violence | Hitting, punching, kicking, slapping, pushing or shoving |
| Objects and weapons | Throwing objects, striking someone with a tool or equipment, threatening someone with a knife or other weapon |
| Threats and physical intimidation | Raising a fist, cornering someone, blocking a doorway, threatening to hurt someone |
| Unwanted physical contact | Grabbing, restraining or spitting on someone |
| Violence from customers, clients or patients | A customer assaulting a retail worker, or a patient lashing out at a nurse or carer |
Physical contact of a sexual nature is also sexual harassment, which carries its own legal duties.
How Common Is Workplace Violence in Australia?
Safe Work Australia’s 2024 report on work-related violence and aggression found 53,139 accepted workers’ compensation claims for being assaulted by a person over 10 years. Serious claims for workplace violence and assault, where a worker needed at least a week off, rose 56% between 2017-18 and 2021-22. Many incidents are never claimed or reported, so the true number is higher.
Effects on Workers and Businesses
Physical abuse can have serious and lasting effects on the victim, both physically and emotionally. It can lead to injuries, medical bills, and lost time at work. It can also lead to emotional trauma and stress, including feelings of fear, anxiety, and depression.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers have a legal and moral responsibility to provide a safe and healthy working environment for their employees. This includes protecting employees from physical abuse. Employers should have policies and procedures in place to prevent physical abuse, as well as procedures for reporting and addressing incidents of physical abuse.
Under work health and safety laws, violence and aggression is a psychosocial hazard. Employers must identify the risk, control it as far as is reasonably practicable, and review the controls. That includes violence from customers, clients and patients, not just co-workers. If an assault causes a serious injury, the business may also need to notify the regulator. See our guide to notifiable incidents in Australia.
Recommended reading: How To Identify, Prevent, And Respond To Physical Harassment In The Workplace
What to Do If It Happens
If an employee is the victim of physical abuse in the workplace, they should report the incident to their supervisor or human resources department. They should also seek medical attention for any injuries and document the incident.
It’s important to note that physical abuse is a criminal offence and should be reported to the appropriate authorities. Employers should also take necessary steps to make sure the safety of the employee, like providing a safe working environment, changing the working schedule or location, or providing security.
Conclusion
In conclusion, physical abuse in the workplace is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly. Employers have a responsibility to prevent and address physical abuse, and employees should feel safe in reporting any incidents of abuse. It’s important that we all work together to create a safe and healthy working environment for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is physical abuse at work a crime?
Yes. Assault is a criminal offence under state and territory law, whether it happens at work or anywhere else. In an emergency, call 000. For non-urgent reports, contact the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
Is it physical abuse if a customer or patient hits me?
Yes. Workplace violence includes violence from customers, clients, patients and members of the public. Employers must manage this risk too, for example through staffing, security, training and safe work design.
Does pushing or grabbing count as physical abuse?
Yes. Physical abuse is not limited to serious injuries. Pushing, grabbing, restraining or spitting on someone can all be physical abuse, and threats of violence can count as well.
Do employers have to report workplace assaults to the regulator?
Some of them. If an assault causes a serious injury, such as one that needs immediate treatment as a hospital in-patient, it is usually a notifiable incident and the regulator must be told straight away. Model WHS laws are also being updated to widen notification to some violent incidents, so check with your state or territory regulator. Employers should still record and investigate every incident.
What is the difference between physical abuse and physical harassment?
The terms overlap. Physical abuse usually means violence or the threat of it. Physical harassment is a wider term for unwelcome physical conduct that offends, humiliates or intimidates, such as unwanted touching or invading personal space.
Sources
Safe Work Australia, Workplace violence and aggression
Safe Work Australia, Workplace and work-related violence and aggression in Australia (August 2024)
Safe Work Australia, Model Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work
Safe Work Australia, Incident notification resources
Last reviewed: October 2026
