A Workplace Violence Policies Influence on the Occurrence of Violence

There is a lack of research on the quality of workplace violence (WPV) policies in home care. This study conducted a blinded review of WPV policies from home care agencies in Ohio, Oregon, and Texas, evaluating them based on five key criteria: WPV reporting, WPV training, WPV policy, workplace conduct, and policy review. Seven agencies participated, but only one met more than 50% of the criteria. Major deficiencies included a lack of WPV prevention methods, formal training, and protective strategies for home visits. While the study examined a small sample, the findings highlight that most WPV policies were incomplete, lacking essential procedures and training to safeguard home care providers. If these findings reflect broader industry trends, home care agencies must prioritize employee safety by implementing more comprehensive WPV policies.