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Workplace Violence Prevention Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a zero-tolerance standard of violence in the workplace. This policy provides District employees with guidance that will maintain an environment at and within District premises and facilities as well as events that are free of violence and the threat of violence. This policy applies to all full-time and part-time employees and includes volunteers, temporary and provisional employees as well as contracted employee

Policy

The District prohibits violent behavior of any kind or threats of violence, either implied or direct, in District premises and facilities as well as at District sponsored events. Such conduct by a District employee will not be tolerated. An employee who exhibits violent behavior shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination and may be subject to criminal prosecution. Violent threats or actions by a non-employee may result in criminal prosecution. The District will investigate all complaints filed and will also investigate any possible violation of this policy of which District management are made aware. Retaliation against a person who makes a good faith complaint regarding violent behavior or threats of violence made to him/her is also prohibited.

Definitions

a) Workplace Violence: Behavior in which an employee, former employee or visitor to a workplace inflicts or threatens to inflict damage to property, serious harm, injury, or death to others at the workplace.

b) Threat: The implication or expression of intent to inflict physical harm or actions that a reasonable person would interpret as a threat to physical safety or property.

c) District premises or District facilities means all property of the District including, but not limited to the offices, facilities and surrounding areas on District-owned or leased property, parking lots, and storage areas. The term also includes District-owned or leased vehicles and equipment wherever located, as well as, pump stations, sites, sewer lines, excavation sites.

d) Intimidation: Making others afraid or fearful through threatening behavior.

e) Zero-tolerance: A standard that establishes that any behavior, implied or actual, that violates the policy will not be tolerated.

f) Court Order: An order by a Court that specifies and/or restricts the behavior of an individual. Court orders may be issued in matters involving domestic violence, stalking or harassment, among other types of protective orders, including Temporary Restraining Orders.

Prohibited Behavior

Violence in the workplace may include, but is not limited to the following list of prohibited behaviors directed at or by a co-worker, supervisor, or member of the public:

  1. Direct threats or physical intimidation.
  2. Implications or suggestions of violence.
  3. Stalking, including following to and from work.
  4. Possession of weapons of any kind on District premises, including parking lots, other exterior premises or while engaged in activities for District in other locations, or at District sponsored event
  5. Assault of any form.
  6. Physical restraint or confinement.
  7. Loud, disruptive, or angry behavior or language that is clearly not part of the typical work environment.
  8. Blatant or intentional disregard for the safety or well-being of others.
  9. Commission of a violent felony or misdemeanor on District premises.
  10. Any other act that a reasonable person would perceive as constituting a threat of violence. Records shall be maintained of steps taken to establish and maintain the District's Injury and Illness Prevention Program.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence, while often originating in the home, can significantly impact workplace safety and the productivity of victims as well as co-workers. For the purposes of this policy, "domestic violence" is defined as abuse committed against an adult or fully emancipated minor. Abuse is the intentional or reckless attempt to cause bodily injury, sexual assault, threatening behavior, harassment, or stalking, making annoying phone calls or sending annoying emails or threats.to a person who is in any of the following relationships:

a) Spouse or former spouse;

b) Domestic partner or former domestic partner;

c) Cohabitant or former cohabitant and or other household members;

d) A person with whom the victim is having, or has had, a dating or engagement relationship;

e) A person with whom the victim has a child.

The District recognizes that domestic violence may occur in relationships regardless of the marital status, age, race, or sexual orientation of the parties.

Reporting Acts or Threats of Violence

a) An employee who:

  1. is the victim of violence; or
  2. believes they have been threatened with violence; or
  3. witnesses an act or threat of violence towards anyone else shall take the following steps:If an emergency exists and the situation is one of immediate danger, the employee shall contact the Sheriff’s Department by dialing 911 or take whatever emergency steps are available and appropriate to protect himself/herself from immediate harm, such as leaving the area.If the situation is not one of immediate danger, the employee shall report the incident to the appropriate supervisor or manager as soon as possible and complete the District’s Workplace Violence Incident Report Form.

b) Procedures for Future Violence:

  1. Employees who have reason to believe they, or others, may be victimized by a violent act sometime in the future, at the workplace or as a direct result of their employment with the District, shall inform their supervisor by immediately completing a Workplace Violence Incident Report Form so appropriate action may be taken. The supervisor shall inform the General Manager and the local law enforcement officials.
  2. Employees who have signed and filed a restraining order, temporary or permanent, against an individual due to a potential act of violence, who would be in violation of the order by coming near them at work, shall immediately supply a copy of the signed order to their supervisor. The supervisor shall provide copies to the General Manager and to the Sheriff’s Department.

Incident Investigation 

a) Acts of violence or threats will be investigated immediately in order to protect employees from danger, unnecessary anxiety concerning their welfare, and the loss of productivity. The General Manager will cause to be initiated an investigation into potential violation of work rules/policies. Simultaneously, the General Manager will refer the matter to local law enforcement authorities for their review of potential violation of civil and/or criminal law.

b) Procedures for investigating incidents of workplace violence include:

  • Visiting the scene of an incident as soon as possible.
  • Interviewing injured and threatened employees and witnesses.
  • Examining the workplace for security risk factors associated with the incident, including any reports of inappropriate behavior by the perpetrator.
  • Determining the cause of the incident.
  • Taking mitigating action to prevent the incident from recurring.
  • Recording the findings and mitigating actions taken.

c) In appropriate circumstances, the District will inform the reporting individual of the results of the investigation. To the extent possible, the District will maintain the confidentiality of the reporting employee and the investigation but may need to disclose results in appropriate circumstances; for example, in order to protect individual safety. The District will not tolerate retaliation against any employee who reports workplace violence.

Mitigation Measures & Actions   

Incidents which threaten the security of employees shall be mitigated as soon as possible following their discovery. Mitigating actions include:

a) Notification of law enforcement authorities when a potential criminal act has occurred.

b) Provision of emergency medical care in the event of any violent act upon an employee.

c) Post-event trauma counseling for those employees desiring such assistance.

d) Assurance that incidents are handled in accordance with the Workplace Violence Prevention policy.

e) Requesting District Counsel file a restraining order as appropriate.

Training

a) The District shall be responsible for ensuring that all employees, including managers and supervisors, are provided training and instruction on general workplace security practices. Managers and supervisors shall be responsible for ensuring that all employees are provided training and instructions on job specific workplace security practices.

b) Training and instruction shall be provided as follows:

  • To all current employees when the policy is first implemented. Employees will be required to sign a written acknowledgment that the policy has been received, read, and understood.
  • To all newly hired employees, supervisors and managers, or employees given new job assignments for which specific workplace security training for that job assignment has not previously been provided. Employees will be required to sign a written acknowledgment that the policy has been received, read, and understood.
  • To affected employees whenever management is made aware of a new or previously unrecognized hazard.

c) Workplace security training and instruction includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Preventive measures to reduce the threat of workplace violence, including procedures for reporting workplace security hazards.
  • Methods to diffuse hostile or threatening situations.
  • Escape routes.
  • Explanation of this Workplace Violence Prevention Policy.

In addition, specific instructions shall be provided to all employees regarding workplace security hazards unique to their job assignment.

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