Types of Violence: Physical, Verbal and Non Verbal

Physical Violence in the Work Environment

This is the most visible, alarming and dangerous manifestation of aggression in the workplace.

It is not limited to just hitting a person; it includes any unwanted physical contact, such as pushing, shoving, grabbing, hard slaps on the back with intent to intimidate, or even physically blocking an employee's path in a hallway.

It also includes violence against property, such as striking a table in anger, throwing objects (even if they do not hit a person) or destroying work tools.

For example, if a supervisor, in a fit of anger over a production error, throws a heavy folder against a wall near an employee, he or she is using intimidating physical violence.The policy should strictly prohibit physical force.

Verbal and Psychological Violence

Verbal violence is often the precursor to other forms of aggression and is, unfortunately, the most common and normalized in office environments.It includes shouting, name-calling, use of profanity and demeaning nicknames.

However, it also includes more subtle and corrosive forms such as hurtful sarcasm, constant destructive criticism in front of colleagues or systematic interruption when the victim tries to speak.

Consider a boss who during meetings refers to a colleague's proposals as "bullshit" or "absolute waste of time" in an aggressive and dismissive tone.

The damage here is not physical, but the repetition of these verbal behaviors erodes self-esteem and generates paralysis.

Nonverbal and Gestural Violence

Often underestimated because it is silent, nonverbal violence can be as intimidating as yelling.

It manifests itself through threatening gestures, intimidating stares, exaggerated sighs of contempt when someone speaks, or acts of exclusion such as deliberately ignoring the greeting (the law of ice).

In the digital age, this extends to sending offensive images or using inappropriate emoticons that suggest violence or mockery in group chats.

An example would be a coordinator who, whenever a specific employee takes the floor, rolls her eyes and ostensibly looks at her cell phone to demonstrate disinterest and disrespect.

Summary

Physical violence is the most alarming, including unwanted touching and assaults on property, such as banging tables or throwing objects to intimidate the employee.

Verbal violence, very common and normalized, includes shouting and insults, but also hurtful sarcasm and systematic destructive criticism that erodes the victim's self-esteem.

Non-verbal violence includes threatening gestures, intimidating looks and acts of social exclusion, extending to the digital realm through the use of inappropriate or offensive emoticons.