Policies & Contracts

606 - Workplace Violence

Subject: Workplace Violence

Section: U606

Date: June, 2007

Purpose:

To define the University's policy on workplace violence.

Policy:

The University is committed to providing a safe work environment for all of its employees and students. To foster this environment, the University has a zero-tolerance policy for any acts of intimidation or threats of violence committed by any employee, student, customer or vendor at any University workplace or while conducting University business. Conduct that interferes with the University’s commitment to maintaining a violence-free workplace will not be tolerated.

Guidelines:

  1. A staff employee must conduct himself/herself in a professional manner which excludes behaviors for which the University has zero-tolerance, including:
    • direct or indirect intimidation or threats of violence;
    • acts of a violent or aggressive nature (e.g., communicating threatening messages, pushing, hitting, fighting, throwing objects or otherwise intentionally injuring another person), whether conducted in a verbal, physical or electronic mode;
    • vandalism, destruction, attempted destruction or threats of such to the University or its property;
    • physical or verbal harassment or intimidation, including any behavior or threat of behavior that would place a reasonable person in fear of physical injury or aggressive physical contact; and
    • possession of firearms or dangerous weapons at any University workplace or while conducting University business.
  2.  Harassment of a sexual nature will be governed by the University's Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment Policy, which includes sexual harassment.
  3. An employee who commits acts of intimidation or threats of violence, whether intentional or unintentional, will be subject to immediate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, arrest, criminal prosecution, and/or civil action.
  4. If the incident of violence results in an injury or death to an employee, the event is recordable for purposes of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Log and should be immediately reported to the Workers’ Compensation Administrator.
  5. Any employee who feels he/she has been the subject of workplace violence or has identified a situation where workplace violence has or could occur, must immediately bring it to the attention of his/her supervisor, manager, unit head, or Director of Employee/Labor Relations.
  6. The University forbids retaliation against any employee for reporting a violation of this policy. Any employee who engages in retaliation is in violation of this policy and will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. An employee who feels he/she is the subject of retaliation should contact HR – Employee/Labor Relations.
  7. If a student commits acts or threats of violence or intimidation, he/she will be subject to the student disciplinary procedures.
  8. For guidance or advice regarding workplace violence and unacceptable employee conduct, contact HR - Employee/Labor Relations.

 

Employees represented by a union may be governed by the appropriate bargaining unit agreement.