While agreeing on that broader definition of the
problem, specialists have also come to a consensus that workplace violence falls into
four broad categories. They are:
TYPE 1: Violent acts by criminals who have no other connection with the workplace,
but enter to commit robbery or another crime.
TYPE 2: Violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients, students,
inmates, or any others for whom an organization provides services.
TYPE 3: Violence against coworkers, supervisors, or managers by a present or former
employee.
TYPE 4: Violence committed in the workplace by someone who doesn’t work there, but
has a personal relationship with an employee—an abusive spouse or domestic partner.