"This article discusses violence and harassment as a psychosocial risk in the world of work – a highly topical subject, in the context of the debate about the introduction of an ILO standard on the issue. It focuses in particular on how trade unions have been instrumental in raising awareness about the gravity of the problem and in negotiating agreements, workplace policies and occupational safety and prevention measures with employers. Violence and harassment are both a gender equality issue and an issue of occupational safety and health, with serious implications for workers' health and well-being. The article discusses how new risks of psychological violence are emerging from changing patterns of work and growing work pressures, non-standard forms of employment in the informal economy, and the globalization of labour markets – and how those risks are disproportionately faced by women. It also looks at how traditional definitions of workplace violence and harassment can be broadened within a “world of work” framework by taking into account issues such as travel to and from work, third-party violence perpetrated by customers and clients, and the impact domestic violence has in the workplace."

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