Thousands of public services workers were assaulted as they went about their jobs in the space of a year, according to new research published by UNISON Scotland today (Monday).
The union sent Freedom of Information requests to all local authorities, health boards and social landlords, as well as other public sector employers who are subject to the access information legislation in Scotland.
The responses showed there were 65,875 violent incidents against public service staff in the 12 months to 31 March this year. That amounts to 180 incidents of abuse or assault each day.
The union says that the number of assaults against public service staff are rising, with six in ten (61%) of all incidents reported involving violence against local authority staff, mostly in schools.
Health boards account for a quarter of all violent incidents (16,793 or 25%) reported in 2024. This compares with a total of 10,984 recorded incidents in 2023.
UNISON Scotland health and safety committee chair Scott Donohoe said: “These figures are appalling. No one should be assaulted at work. Staff are just trying to provide a service. This is completely unacceptable.
“Workers say frustrations with delays or the fact a service is no longer available are being taken out on those working face-to-face with the public.
“There is a clear link between cuts to council services and an increase in violence to local authority staff. In the NHS, the workforce crisis is part of the cause too.
“Employers and the Scottish government must take speedy and strong action to ensure all staff are safe at work. That must start with ensuring all incidents are recorded and properly followed up.”
Notes to editors:
-UNISON is the public services union. It represents workers in local government, NHS, education, social care, police staff, utilities, and energy.
-Read UNISON Scotland’s Violence at Work report 2024 here.
-Key findings from the report:
The survey registered a total of 65,875 incidents of violence (180 per day) against public service staff in the year to 31 March 2024.
The total number of violent incidents was 20% higher than in 2023, with an additional 11,191 violent incidents reported. This compares with a total of 10,984 recorded incidents in the previous 12 months. The most recent figure also includes data from Scotland’s largest health board NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde of 4,884 incidents after it failed to submit details the previous year.
Six in ten of all incidents in 2024 (61%) involve violence against local authority staff. Violent attacks against council workers rose by 14%.
Schools and nurseries once again account for the majority of all incidents reported by councils, with most of these involving education support staff such as pupil support assistants.
Health boards account for a quarter of all violent incidents (16,793 or 25%) reported in 2024. This compares with a total of 10,984 recorded incidents in 2023. This increase is partially due to NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde responding (4,884) in 2024 but not in 2023.