What is defined as verbal, physical, or sexual abuse of staff in a workplace?

Workplace violence encompasses various forms of abuse, including verbal, physical, or sexual acts directed towards staff in a work environment. This term is crucial as it highlights the range of aggressive behaviors that can occur, making it a significant concern in workplaces such as healthcare settings. Understanding workplace violence is essential, as it can lead to serious physical and emotional harm to individuals, undermine team dynamics, and create a toxic work atmosphere.

The other concepts in the options differ significantly from workplace violence. Substance abuse refers to the misuse of drugs or alcohol, which is a separate issue not directly linked to the mistreatment of staff. Negligence involves failing to act prudently or responsibly, often resulting in harm to others, but it does not directly address abusive behaviors. Malpractice is a legal term usually related to professional negligence in a healthcare context, where a provider fails to meet the accepted standards of care, resulting in injury or harm to a patient, but it does not specifically refer to abuse among staff members. Thus, the term that accurately captures the verbal, physical, or sexual abuse of staff is workplace violence.