Which level of workplace violence involves threats or harassment without physical contact?

• A. Level I involves threats or harassment without physical contact.
• B. Level II involves physical assault without weapons or with minor injury.
• C. Level III involves severe violence or homicide, usually with a weapon.
• D. There is no level beyond Level III.

Answer: (A)

Non-physical threats and harassment constitute the lowest level on the workplace violence ladder. This level covers behavior that makes someone feel unsafe without any physical contact—things like intimidation, verbal threats, harassment, stalking, or other coercive actions. Because there is no physical contact or weapon involved, it stays at the non-physical end of the spectrum, which is why it’s identified as the first level.

The other levels involve physical harm. Physical assault without weapons or with minor injury fits a higher level, and severe violence or homicide—usually with a weapon—fits even higher. The statement that there’s no level beyond the top one isn’t aligned with common frameworks that recognize escalation beyond severe violence, so that option doesn’t fit the described scenario.