What is vandalism?

Vandalism is committed when one or more individuals, during the exercise of their
profession, wilfully damage or destroy the property that has been made available to
them for the purpose of their work (rooms, facilities, vehicles or equipments). These
actions may be aimed at the employer or at a specific individual.
What are the consequences of vandalism at work?
FOR THE VICTIM
Vandalism is an act of hostility directed at a victim. The aggressor is indirectly assaulting
the victim by destroying his or her work tools while, at the same time, contaminating life
at work, inflicting stress and possibly provoking confrontation.
FOR WITNESSES INSIDE THE ORGANIZATION
Vandalism can deteriorate the work environment and threaten security in the workplace.
Witnesses of vandalism often do not dare step in for fear of endangering their own safety
or personal belongings.
FOR THE ORGANIZATION
Vandalism creates tension at work. Employers may have to negotiate and, in more
extreme cases, resort to force to restore order and resolve conflicts. This, in turn, may
result in material and financial losses, loss of time and productivity and tighter security,
and also affect insurability as well as the organizations image and culture.
The crime of vandalism is the deliberate destroying or defacing the property of another
person or entity without permission.
The term vandalism is used to describe a wide variety of criminal behavior. Acts of
vandalism can include keying a vehicle, breaking windows, damaging mail boxes,
slashing tires, or defacing all kinds of items and structures - buildings, street signs, park
benches, etc.
Although the spray painted graffiti of buildings, billboards and rail cars can involve what
appear to be works of art to some, it is still the crime of vandalism because it defaces the
property without the owner's permission.
Most states have laws against vandalism or criminal damage to property, malicious
trespassing or malicious mischief. Some states have laws that provide for stronger
penalties for the vandalism of certain property, such as churches or government
buildings.
Some states have passed laws that limit the amount of spray paint that can be purchased
by an individual in the effort to cut down on graffiti while others have laws against the
mere possession of "vandalism tools" such as spray paint.