Beyond the Bottom of the Hill: Proactively Tackling Workplace Violence

In this essential safetyCast episode, we address the undeniable increase in violent and aggressive behavior in customer-facing workplaces. Featuring two of New Zealand’s top retail safety leaders, Grace Cooper (Former GM of H&S at The Warehouse Group and currently Director of The Safety SOULutions) and Jo van den Berg (from Foodstuffs North Island), this conversation explores how to move beyond reactive measures that are often “the ambulance at the bottom of the hill”.

Together, we challenge the traditional approaches to safety. Michelle and Jo share why a proactive, multi-pronged strategy—focused on primary prevention, good workplace design, and effective de-escalation—is critical for protecting employees from the growing psychological harm this issue creates.

Key themes:

• Why one-off training for violent and aggressive behaviour doesn’t work and what to do instead.

• How to address employee wellbeing in the face of more frequent aggressive behaviour.

• Simple and practical preventative initiatives that are proven to work.

• Real-world examples from workplaces that have implemented positive changes.

This episode is a must-listen for retail leaders, HR and H&S professionals, and anyone in a customer-facing industry committed to proactively protecting their people from the growing threat of workplace aggression.

Featuring:

• Grace Cooper, Former GM of H&S at The Warehouse Group and currently Director of The Safety SOULutions

• Jo van den Berg, Head of Safety & Wellbeing, Foodstuffs North Island

Available now on all major podcast platforms.