Workplace violence has become one of the most urgent and costly safety issues facing American employees. A new analysis reviewed by Suzuki Law Offices shows that violence in professional settings is rising across multiple industries, with employees reporting higher levels of fear, more frequent exposure to violent incidents, and growing frustration with inadequate reporting systems. The data also reveals that Arizona workers, particularly those in healthcare and service‑based roles, face elevated risks that mirror or exceed national trends.

In 2025, 15 percent of U.S. employees reported being directly targeted by workplace violence, up from 12 percent in 2024. The economic impact is equally significant, with workplace violence costing the U.S. an estimated $4.2 billion annually. These numbers reflect a problem that is expanding in scope and severity, affecting workers across age groups, industries, and job levels.

A nationwide survey conducted in June 2025 gathered responses from more than 1,009 employees across hospitality, healthcare, retail, industrial, manufacturing, and office settings. The findings paint a clear picture of a workforce increasingly exposed to threats, harassment, and physical danger.

A Workforce Under Strain: Key National Findings

The survey shows that workplace violence is not limited to high‑risk industries. It is a widespread issue affecting nearly every sector of the American economy.

Key national findings include:

• 46 percent of hospitality workers witnessed violence in their workplace
• 34 percent of healthcare employees reported witnessing violence
• The national average for witnessing workplace violence is 30 percent, up from 25 percent in 2024
• Only 60 percent of employees feel comfortable reporting safety threats without anonymity
• 40 percent fear retaliation or negative consequences
• 12 percent of Gen Z workers say they are unwilling to report concerns due to fear or uncertainty
• More than 70 percent of Baby Boomers and Gen X employees would report threats without anonymity, compared to lower rates among younger workers

Among the 13 percent of employees who feel unsafe at work, the reasons are consistent and deeply concerning:

• Lack of training or knowledge of safety procedures (41 percent)
• Toxic workplace culture (41 percent)
• Safety hazards in physically demanding roles (41 percent)
• Fear of potential violence (32 percent)
• Fear of retaliatory violence (33 percent)

When asked whether all states should adopt workplace‑violence prevention laws similar to California’s statute and New York’s Retail Worker Safety Act, 93 percent of employees said yes.

Healthcare Workers Face the Most Severe Threats

Healthcare workers make up only 10 percent of the U.S. workforce, yet they account for 48 percent of all nonfatal violent workplace injuries. The data shows that violence in healthcare settings is rising at an alarming rate.

The top five increasing dangers in healthcare include:

• Physical attacks on employees: 55 percent increase
• Verbal assaults: 52 percent increase
• Unauthorized entry: 50 percent increase
• Break‑ins: 47 percent increase
• Insider theft: 44 percent increase

A January 2024 survey of emergency physicians found:

• 91 percent had been victims of violence or knew a colleague who had
• 71 percent believed violence against healthcare workers was worse than the previous year

These numbers reflect a profession under extraordinary strain. High‑profile incidents, such as the February 2025 shooting inside a Pennsylvania ICU that left multiple victims dead or injured, reinforce the sense of vulnerability among healthcare staff.

Turnover is another major consequence. Between 2022 and 2025:

• 138,000 nurses left the workforce
• 39.9 percent of RNs and 41.3 percent of LPNs/VNs plan to leave or retire within five years
• The average cost of losing a single bedside RN is $61,110
• Hospitals lose between $3.9 million and $5.7 million annually due to turnover

Executive‑Level Threats Are Rising, Especially for Women

Workplace violence is not limited to frontline employees. Senior executives face increasing threats, both physical and digital.

A Security Executive Council study analyzing 424 incidents between 2003 and late 2025 found:

• 85 percent of attacks were physical
• 42 percent occurred during daytime hours
• 38 percent were motivated by activism
• CEOs were the most targeted group (64 percent)
• 76 percent of assailants were strangers
• 33 percent of targeted executives were killed or injured

Industry breakdown of targeted executives:

• Financial: 17 percent
• Technology: 17 percent
• Manufacturing/industrial: 12 percent
• Retail: 8 percent
• Entertainment/media/sports: 8 percent
• Energy/utilities: 8 percent
• Healthcare/pharmaceutical: 7 percent

Female executives face distinct risks:

• 64 percent of attacks on women occurred at home
• Higher rates of physical attacks (34 percent)
• Higher rates of kidnappings (17 percent)
• Motivations include criminal (39 percent), activism (29 percent), and personal reasons (24 percent)

The United States recorded 195 executive‑targeted incidents, far more than any other country.

Arizona’s Workplace Violence Landscape

Arizona mirrors many of the national trends, but several factors heighten the risks for workers in the state.

Arizona’s workforce includes large populations in:

• Healthcare
• Hospitality
• Retail
• Manufacturing
• Public‑facing government roles

These industries are among the most vulnerable to workplace violence.

Arizona’s healthcare sector, in particular, faces elevated risks. The state’s rapid population growth, high emergency‑room demand, and staffing shortages contribute to increased exposure to violent incidents. Arizona hospitals have reported rising rates of assaults on nurses, security staff, and emergency personnel, consistent with national data showing a 55 percent increase in physical attacks on healthcare workers.

Service‑based industries in Arizona also face heightened risks. Hospitality and tourism are major economic drivers in Phoenix, Tucson, and resort regions. With 46 percent of hospitality workers nationwide reporting exposure to workplace violence, Arizona’s large hospitality workforce is disproportionately affected.

Retail workers in Arizona face similar challenges. Customer‑initiated violence, theft‑related confrontations, and understaffing contribute to elevated risk levels.

Why Workers Don’t Report Violence

The study highlights a troubling reality: many victims never report workplace violence.

Reasons include:

• Belief that reporting will have no effect (55 percent)
• Fear of reputational damage (45 percent)
• Fear of retaliation (45 percent)
• Confusion about reporting procedures (43 percent)
• Lack of trust in those handling complaints (43 percent)
• Fear that complaints will become public (41 percent)
• Lack of knowledge about how to report (39 percent)
• Fear of further punishment (33 percent)

These barriers prevent employers from understanding the full scope of the problem.

A Call for Stronger Protections

The data reviewed by Suzuki Law Offices shows that workplace violence is a growing national crisis with significant implications for Arizona workers. Employees across industries are calling for stronger protections, clearer reporting systems, and safer workplace environments.

The most requested safety measures include:

• Physical security improvements (50 percent)
• Emergency action plans (49 percent)
• A workplace culture that encourages reporting (49 percent)
• Safety technology (42 percent)
• In‑person drills (42 percent)
• Online training (37 percent)

As Arizona continues to grow, the need for comprehensive workplace‑violence prevention strategies becomes even more urgent.