Employees in a variety of occupations can find themselves in situations in which they may be exposed to violence at work. De-escalation tactics defuse volatile situations so they don’t reach the point of violence.
And these situations are on the rise. Workplace assaults have increased at an annual rate of 5.3% from 2011 through 2021-22, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Workers in health care and social assistance are the most likely to experience violence at work, and women and those age 20-34 experienced a disproportionate number of assaults.
What is de-escalation?
De-escalation is an effective technique to respond to the threat of violent or aggressive behavior.
De-escalation is the “use of communication or other techniques during an encounter to stabilize, slow, or reduce the intensity of a potentially violent situation without using physical force, or with a reduction in force,” according to the Department of Homeland Security.
In short, de-escalation is the process of managing someone else’s behavior with your own.
How does the concept of de-escalation intersect with workplace safety?
As workplace violence remains a continuously growing threat, many industries are beginning to utilize the benefits of de-escalation training.
These industries include:
- Education/academic settings
- Healthcare
- Policing/public service
- Social work
Are there some general de-escalation tactics that apply universally?
While specific threats vary among industries, Jason Clausen, a Loss Prevention Specialist at SFM, notes that many de-escalation tactics apply universally.
“These tactics all require a state of calm, and operate around the cornerstone of active listening,” he said.
General de-escalation tactics that apply universally include:
- Respecting personal space
- Maintaining safe body positioning
- Giving clear, concise direction
- Setting obvious boundaries
- Conveying empathy
- Establishing a positive tone of voice
De-escalation resources
De-escalation training can be helpful to employees in many fields. To learn more about de-escalation, view these SFM resources:
- De-escalation Team Training – health care
- De-escalation Team Training – schools
- Alternative intervention and de-escalation tactics, 5-Minute Solutions safety talk
Originally published December 2020; updated January 2024 and August 2026.