ABSTRACT
The US Department of Justice defines workplace violence as “any form of conduct that intentionally creates anxiety, fear and a climate of distrust in the workplace” (2003:19). Despite the inclusiveness of this definition, violence remains a culturally defined concept, constructed and changeable over time and context. As noted by Carter (2007:8), violence is not only a historically shaped phenomenon, but it is inherently linked with cultural views of justice and morality. The cultural framework establishes the narrative that enables setting of the boundaries between the legitimate and the illegitimate ways of being, applies the label of violence and determines actions deserving of being sanction or ignored.
