How is horizontal violence in the workplace defined?

• A. Acts of aggression toward a colleague, which can be verbal, emotional, or physical.
• B. A policy that promotes teamwork and open communication.
• C. A formal procedure for reporting safety concerns.
• D. A type of conflict that only occurs between supervisors.

Answer: (A)

Horizontal violence occurs when colleagues at the same level treat each other with aggression or hostility, rather than as a conflict with a supervisor. It can be verbal, emotional, or even physical, and often includes actions like insults, sabotage, gossip, withholding information, or undermining a coworker’s work. This option fits the definition precisely because it describes peer-to-peer aggression, which is the essence of horizontal violence.

The other concepts describe things unrelated to interpersonal aggression. A policy that promotes teamwork is a positive, collaborative aim, not an act of hostility. A formal procedure for reporting safety concerns is about processes, not about hostile interactions between coworkers. A type of conflict that only occurs between supervisors misstates the setting, since horizontal violence specifically involves peers at the same level, not hierarchical relationships.