Violence includes physical violence as well as verbal insults and threats that are expressed or carried out by colleagues, customers, suppliers etc. against persons at work. The health, safety or well-being of employees is jeopardised. Violence can also have a racist or sexual aspect.

A threat presents «only» the prospect of an act of violence. This causes fear and forces the person concerned to assess the potential risk. However, this is often very difficult for individuals as various influences affect the level of danger such as the personality and behaviour of the person making the threat. If threats are made in the workplace, these must be taken seriously and dealt with. In such situations, employers have an obligation to guarantee protection of their employees.

If violence is used in the workplace, this always means that a high degree of escalation has been reached. The starting point for potentially violent situations is usually an interpersonal conflict. The use of violence always constitutes a serious breach of duty and normally requires the involvement of emergency services. The Swiss Criminal Code (StGB) provides an overview of case facts. The StGB recognises various offences that require public prosecution as soon as the police or judiciary are aware of them:

• Sexual assault (Art. 189 of the StGB)
• Rape (Art. 190 of the StGB)
• Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (Art. 123 of the StGB)
• Repeated assaults (Art. 126 Para. 2b and c of the StGB)
• Threatening behaviour (Art. 180 Para. 2 of the StGB)
• In addition to these are offences that are only prosecuted if the victim files a formal application. The victim can withdraw the criminal charge.
• Assaults (Art. 126 of the StGB)
• Trespass (Art. 186 of the StGB)
• Criminal damage (Art. 144 of the StGB)
• Misuse of a communication system (Art. 179 of the StGB)

Experience with breaches of integrity in the workplace show that harassed employees in a predicament increasingly find themselves in a kind of «pressure cooker». But the safety valve doesn’t work. The result of this may be tensions in the team, meltdowns, acts of violence or even killing sprees.

Always get help if you yourself are affected by threatening behaviour or violence in the workplace. In an emergency, immediately contact your in-house emergency service or call the police directly (117 is the emergency number in Switzerland).

Also get help if you receive a threat that does not place you in serious physical danger. Every type of threat should be taken seriously. If possible, talk to your superiors or the HR person responsible for you, or get advice from someone outside your workplace. Protect yourself and demand protection from your employer. The goal is realistic assessment of the threat situation for both victims and the company.

If you witness threatening behaviour and violence, talk to the affected person about the incidents. Encourage them to be proactive and resist the attacks. Do not take any action against the will of the person affected. If the allegations are investigated, you can make yourself available as a witness. If possible, talk to your superiors or the HR person responsible for you if you encounter one or more of the following situations:

• You hear threats made against others
• You or someone else are affected by stalking
• You or someone you know is physically attacked
• Someone expresses suicidal thoughts
• You sense that someone’s behaviour is extremely suspicious and could be dangerous
• You see weapons or weapons are talked about in your presence
• You hear or read extreme fantasies of violence

FOR SERIOUS DANGER TO LIFE AND LIMB: DIAL YOUR IN-HOUSE EMERGENCY NUMBER OR CALL THE SWISS EMERGENCY CODE 117 TO TALK WITH THE POLICE.

If you are threatened but are not in any serious physical danger:

Report the threat within the company

If possible, get in touch with your superiors first. If you are unable or do not want to do this, you can usually also request support from contact persons in your Human Resources department. Persons in a company have an obligation to take your report seriously and deal with it.

Confidential advice (with no obligation to intervene)

Movis AG’s employee counselling service is available as an external place to go for breaches of personal integrity. Report to the counsellors who are responsible for your company or ring +41 848 270 270 (accessible 24 hours / 7 days).

Regional victim support services offer support and counselling to victims of violence.

Anyone who is not safe from personal attacks suffers mentally and physically and may no longer be able to perform to their potential. They no longer enjoy their work. They become suspicious of colleagues. Concentration and efficiency decrease. There are noticeable physical and psychological health consequences such as headaches, insomnia, backaches, stomach pain, depression, feelings of loathing and helplessness, helpless rage etc.

People who threaten employees with violence or carry out such threats must expect sanctions from the employer. Depending on the severity of the misconduct, anything from a reprimand to dismissal and an entry in the personnel file should be expected.

If the person affected presses charges, criminal consequences can be expected.

People who demonstrably and unjustly accuse colleagues of violence or threats of violence to intentionally cause them harm can expect sanctions from their company and criminal sanctions where appropriate.

Criminal code


Swiss Code of Obligations (OR), Art. 328: Duty of care

In an employment relationship, employers must respect and protect the character of employees, give appropriate consideration to their health, and ensure that morality is safeguarded.

Federal Labour Act (ArG), Art. 6: Health protection

Employers must take all measures necessary to safeguard and improve health protection and guarantee the physical and psychological health of employees.

Ask which personnel regulations or laws apply in your business. These provide information about company procedures and codes of conduct.

Adresses of victim support counselling services in Swiss cantons