Post traumatic stress disorder as an occupational health outcome of workplace violence

There is a low level of recognition of the importance of acute and post traumatic stress disorders experienced by worker populations in the sectors which experience high rates of physical assault. This lack of attention also extends to those who provide occupational health and safety preventive and treatment services. The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) is a labor union that represents 54,000 workers employed by state government agencies. Members who work in healthcare and social services and criminal justice agencies experience a high frequency of physical assaults on-the-job. In addition to physical trauma, these workers also experience psychological trauma, acute stress, and often develop post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PEF has accumulated rich experience in advocating for injured members who have been assaulted on the job. The advocacy has included development of violence prevention programs, state legislation, and providing assistance to injured members in dealing with the workers' compensation and criminal justice systems. It is through this advocacy that we have become aware of the serious health effect caused by PTSD. Often this condition goes undiagnosed, untreated, and frequently becomes a subject of contention in workers' compensation adjudication. In addition to the primary intervention of workplace violence prevention, PEF has worked with state employers to institute peer based trauma response programs to provide immediate support and assistance to assaulted staff. PEF has also learned about the serious consequences PTSD has on effected staff, their families, and work organizations.