Online Course · Workplace Violence Prevention
Violence in the Workplace: Online Prevention Training for Employees
Most workplace violence begins with something smaller — a threat, an escalating argument, a customer who keeps coming back angry. This workplace violence prevention training teaches employees to recognize those early signs, report them and respond safely.
Workplace Violence Is a Spectrum
Workplace violence covers any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation or other threatening disruptive behavior at the work site. It ranges from verbal abuse and threats to physical assault. Prevention is most effective early in that spectrum, which is why this course focuses on awareness, communication and reporting.
OSHA has no single federal workplace violence standard for most industries, but it can address recognized violence hazards under the General Duty Clause and publishes workplace violence guidance, with sector-specific guidelines for healthcare and social services. Some states go further; California, for example, now requires most employers to adopt a workplace violence prevention plan and train employees on it. Check what applies in your state.
The Four Types of Workplace Violence
The course uses the widely cited typology from NIOSH research to help employees understand where risk comes from:
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Criminal intent
The perpetrator has no legitimate relationship with the business, as in robbery or trespass.
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Customer or client
Violence by people receiving services, such as patients, students, passengers or customers.
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Worker on worker
A current or former employee threatens or attacks coworkers or supervisors.
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Personal relationship
Someone with a personal relationship to an employee, such as domestic violence spilling into work.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize behavioral warning signs such as threats, fixation on grievances, sudden changes in behavior and talk of weapons
- Use basic de-escalation techniques: calm tone, space, listening and avoiding arguments
- Know when to disengage, leave and call for help instead of continuing a conversation
- Report threats and concerning behavior through the right channels, even when unsure
- Understand your employer's prevention plan, emergency codes and evacuation routes
- Take basic steps to protect yourself if violence occurs
From Prevention to Response: Where AVIRT Fits
This online course concentrates on prevention and early intervention. When violence escalates to an active threat, employees need a different skill set: making fast decisions under stress, moving to safety and controlling life-threatening bleeding until responders arrive. That is the focus of our in-person AVIRT program, Active Violence Immediate Response Training, a roughly four-hour HSI-certified course that includes Stop the Bleed hemorrhage control and scenario-based drills.
Many employers use the online course for everyone and schedule AVIRT for teams at higher risk or for designated responders. Read more about how the two approaches compare in our workplace violence prevention article.
Online Course vs. Onsite AVIRT
| Item | Violence in the Workplace (online) | AVIRT (onsite) |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Prevention, warning signs, de-escalation, reporting | Immediate response to active violence and bleeding control |
| Format | Self-paced, any device, completion record | Instructor-led with hands-on drills |
| Best for | All employees, new-hire onboarding, annual refreshers | Teams wanting practiced response skills |
How Employers Roll Out the Course
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Start with your plan
Review or create a written prevention policy that names how threats are reported and who investigates them.
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Assign to all staff
Employees complete the course online, including part-time, remote and night-shift workers who are often missed in live sessions.
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Add site specifics
Supervisors cover local emergency codes, safe rooms, exits and who to call, so the general lessons connect to your building.
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Practice and refresh
Repeat the course annually and consider drills or onsite AVIRT sessions so response decisions are rehearsed, not improvised.
Workplace Violence Training FAQs
Who should take this course?
Every employee benefits, with particular value for front-desk, retail, healthcare, education, transit, banking and field service staff who deal with the public.
Does it cover active shooter response?
Only briefly. For full response training, see active shooter response and AVIRT.
Can it support our prevention plan?
Yes. Use it for the general content, then add your own reporting contacts, emergency procedures and site details.