Workplace Violence in Relation to the Drivers and Conductors

Executive Summary

This report is based on the violence against drivers and conductors in the transport sector, which is currently trending on social media and news more drivers and conductors are losing their lives as they are being brutally attacked, the research shows that the violence is caused by factors such as delays in transportation, poor information following delays; the quality of environmental surroundings and failure to meet passenger expectations are more likely to stimulate anger and frustration in the public and increase the risk of aggression.

Introduction

1.1 Background

Workplace violence in the transport sector accounts for significant work-related mortality. In the USA, workplace homicide is the fourth leading cause of work-related death. In addition to homicides and injuries, workplace violence can lead to depression, anxiety, stress, psychosomatic complaints, helplessness and burnout.

Workplace violence is an alarming phenomenon worldwide. A large European survey covering 31 countries and different work sectors placed the yearly prevalence of physical abuse in the workplace, sexual harassment, and bullying/harassment. Of the 4.5 million crimes of violence reported in the United States of America, including assault, rape, sexual harassment and robbery, 16.3% were a result of violence directed towards employees while on duty.

An overwhelming majority of the studies on workplace violence have focussed on the healthcare sector. In this sector, prevalence studies have suggested that violence is common with a little geographical variation.

Particularly far less attention has been given to investigating violence in the transport industry. This article scrutinises workplace violence in the road passenger transport sector. There is reason to suspect that the profile of abuse (e.g. nature, extent and risk factors) may be of a unique character, the transport sector is characterised by a unique form of interaction. The work of drivers and conductors involves interaction with strangers on a daily basis. It is, therefore, a challenge to understand the extent, nature and risk factors of violence in this unique sector.

1.2 the Objective of This Report

The aims of this report is to analyse the extent and nature of workplace violence against drivers and conductors and to identify the individual and work-related factors related to being abused as a worker in the road passenger transport sector.

It also indicates that victimisation at work is common, occurring almost everywhere including on the road while the vehicle was in motion inside the vehicle or company office; in the street, company garage; and at the bus/taxi stop.

2. Procedure for the Gathering Information

2.1 Data Source

The report is based on data on the violence and abuse of drivers and conductors in their workplace, Though comparable data from the transport sector with regard to lifetime prevalence is lacking, the current figures seem comparable with studies among healthcare employees where a prevalence ranging between 71–85% has been reported. Two out of three respondents had been abused during the past 12 months. These figures are comparable with previous work from other countries where a prevalence of between 60– 74% has been reported.

2.2 Data Collection

Data collection is the process of gathering and determining information on variables of interest, in an established systematic fashion that allows one to answer detailed research questions and assess outcomes. Ensuring correct and honest information

In order to achieve the aims of this report the following data gathering methods is used:

2.2.1 Interviews

Telephonic interviews were conducted by the researcher; some were contacted from their workplaces or at home, face to face interviews was also done with the participants, respect for privacy while performing the interviews as well as confidentiality emphasise voluntary participation.

2.2.2 Surveys

The researcher conducted telephonic questionnaires in this report and also use Mozilla firefox to find answers about the violence and abuse of drivers and conductors in the transport sector and how the problem can be solved.

2.2.3 Observation

The Marriam website dictionary defines Observation as an action or process of carefully watching something or someone in order to obtain information, as a researcher you learn through personal experience and reflection. The researcher is an active participant-observer looking at the situation so closely he or she is open about the intentions and informed the participants in order to ensure that they are aware of what is happening. A vital advantage is that the researcher is able to build some kind of relationship with the participants.

3. Overview of the Violence Against Drivers and Conductors in the Workplace

3.1 Causes of the Violence

The ecological model of violence has indicated that factors at the individual level, such as less schooling and young age may be the cause of increased vulnerability to abuse, and illiteracy was associated with increased vulnerability as suggested in the ecological model framework. These inconsistencies warrant further research. As studies in this sector are scarce in general and lacking in the African context, repetition of these findings in similar settings is necessary before any firm conclusions can be drawn in this regard. Some work-related factors impacted significantly on the likelihood of exposure to workplace violence in an expected manner while others did not. Short occupational experience reduced the possibility of abuse when compared with over 15 years of experience. This finding is contradictory to other studies which have suggested increased exposure among inexperienced personnel

Another explanation could be that more experienced personnel hold a supervisory role, by advantage of their experience, while those with a supervisory role are more vulnerable to assaults. Supervisors may be called upon to resolve difficult conflicts between other employees and passengers. This may prompt assertive action from either party in the conflict, increasing the likelihood of aggression whether planned or spontaneous by colleagues or passengers

Supervisors' duties such as checking that all vehicles have a valid licence, inspecting that vehicles have undergone the yearly service; and ensuring that vehicles follow the order of arrival at the stations (e.g. taxi stops and bus/minibuses terminals) may increase the likelihood of internally induced aggression, Work characteristics such as work demand (high demand), occupation and a supervisory position, were significantly associated with exposure to abuse. Exposure was highest among bus drivers and bus conductors, though taxi drivers also suffered significant abuse.

4. Conclusion

In conclusion Workplace violence in the road, and passenger transport sector is common and occurs wherever employees are on duty, with bus drivers and conductors being at risk when compared with taxi drivers. Work-related factors including high demands and holding a respected position increase the possibility of being victimised in this sector. Work-related factors have important allegations for interventions to reduce workplace violence in this sector this study should set the pace for further work in the area in other sub-Saharan African contexts.

5. Recommendations

By observing the above study or research I recommend the following:

• A strategy for identifying the occurrence of workplace violence should consider that workplace violence is highly prevalent and occurs everywhere in this sector including while on the road.
• Employees should be supported through a guarantee of their security at all times during their work. This could be accomplished by regular check points by security personnel hired by the unions or the improvement of communications with such personnel while on duty
• the improvement of work conditions is paramount
• Development of a guide for employers and employees on how to detect and control workplace violence is needed.

6. References

• Arnetz, J.E. (1998). The Violent Incident Form (VIF): A practical instrument for the registration of violent incidents in the health care workplace. Work & Stress, 12(1), 17–28.
• Arnetz, J.E., & Arnetz, B.B. (2000). Implementation and evaluation of a practical intervention programme for dealing with violence towards health care workers. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 31(3), 668–680.
• Arnetz, J.E., & Arnetz, B.B. (2001). Violence towards health care staff and possible effects in the quality of patient care. Social Science & Medicine, 52(3), 417–427
• Boyd, C. (2002). Customer violence and employee health and safety. Work, Employment and Society, 16(1), 151–169.
• Boothby, N. (1992). Displaced children: Psychological theory and practice from the field. Journal of Refugee Studies, 5(2), 106–122.
• Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). (2007). National Crime Victimization Survey in 2005. Washington, DC.
• Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS). (2007). National census of fatal occupational injuries in 2005. Washington, DC.
• Carmi-Iluz, T., Peleg, R., Freud, T., & Shvartzman, P. (2005). Verbal and physical violence towards hospital and community-based physicians in the Negev: An observational study. BMC Health Services Research, 5(54), 54.
• Castillo, D., & Jenkins, L. (1994). Industries and occupations at high risk for work-related homicide. Journal of Occupational Medicine, 36(2), 125–132.
• Chappel, D., & Di Martino, V. (2006). Violence at work. Geneva: ILO.
• Di Martino, V. (2002). Workplace violence in the health sector–Country case studies: Brazil, Bulgaria, Lebanon, Portugal, South Africa, Thailand, plus an additional Australian study: Synthesis report (p. 42). Geneva: International Labour Office (ILO)/International Council of Nurses (ICN)/World Health Organization (WHO)/ Public Services International (PSI).