ABSTRACT
Developing and agreeing a policy is a vital step towards a coherent organizational response to violence at work, but it is only one step. Policies often stop at the point where they are statements of intent and, while the intentions are good, little action follows because of the lack of procedures. The procedures should set out in detail how managers should respond after an act of violence. The immediate priority will be to ensure that another incident does not occur. In an office situation this may involve asking the violent person to leave. In residential or day care settings, immediate exclusion may not be an option. Any action should balance the need to avoid condoning violence with the need to avoid precipitating any further incident. Priority must be given to preventing a recurrence and assisting the injured person.
