Workplace Violence Prevention Policy

SUNY PLATTSBURGH
Workplace Violence  Prevention Policy
 

Approved by Executive Council 2/27/07 

Policy
The State University of New York College at (SUNY) Plattsburgh is an educational community bound by common standards of conduct and a commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive learning, living and working environment for all faculty, staff, students and visitors.

SUNY Plattsburgh is committed to providing a safe work environment for all employees. The College will respond promptly to threats, acts of violence, and acts of aggression by employees or against employees by coworkers, members of the public or others. 

The term "workplace violence" is defined as any physical assault, threatening behavior or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting. SUNY Plattsburgh prohibits workplace violence and will not tolerate violence, threats of violence, or intimidating conduct in the workplace.  Complaints of workplace violence will be given serious attention. Security and safety in the workplace requires the cooperation of every employee. 

This policy sets forth standards for employee conduct and guidelines for reasonable precautions.  The accompanying procedures outline response to threats or violence should they occur in the workplace whether in a College facility or at an off-campus College-owned workplace.

The term "workplace" is defined as any location away from an employee's domicile, permanent or temporary, where an employee performs any work-related duty in the course of his or her employment.

The term "employee" is defined as a public employee working for an employer. 

All disciplinary measures taken against students shall be taken in accordance with the procedures of the campus judicial system.  This policy does not alter any codes of student conduct or procedures of the campus judicial system.  The College's response may also include removal of third party vendors/contractors from campus or termination of contracts with such vendors/contractors.

Prohibited Conduct
A. SUNY Plattsburgh will not tolerate any act or threat of violence made in the workplace, on College property, or while in work status. 

B. No person may engage in violent conduct or make threats of violence, implied or direct, on College property or in connection with College business. This includes but is not limited to:

1. The use of force with the intent to cause harm, e.g. physical attacks, any unwanted contact such as hitting, fighting, pushing, or throwing objects; 
2. Acts or threats which are intended to intimidate, threaten, coerce, or cause fear of harm whether directly or indirectly; 
3. Acts or threats made directly or indirectly by oral or written words, gestures or symbols that communicate a direct or indirect threat of physical or mental harm.  

C. No person, without legal authority, may carry, possess or use any dangerous weapon on College property or in College buildings or facilities.

President
The President of the College shall be responsible for the implementation of this policy.  The responsibility includes distribution of this policy to members of the college community, ensuring appropriate investigation and follow-up of reported incidents of workplace violence, appointing a Workplace Violence Advisory Team, and ensuring that administrators, managers and supervisors are aware of their responsibilities under this policy through internal communications and training.


Workplace Violence Advisory Team
A. The President will establish a Workplace Violence Advisory Team. This team, working with the President's Personal Safety Committee, will assist/advise the President to:

1. perform a risk evaluation  of the workplace to determine the presence of factors or situations that might place employees at risk of workplace violence; 
2. assess the campus' readiness for dealing with workplace violence; 
3. facilitate appropriate responses to reported incidents of workplace violence; 
4. assess the potential problem of workplace violence and recommend policy, training issues, or security procedures that should be implemented to maintain a safe working and learning environment; 
5. evaluate incidents to prevent future occurrences; 
6. utilize prevention, intervention, and interviewing techniques in responding to workplace violence; 
7. develop workplace violence prevention tools (such as pamphlets, guidelines and handbooks) to assist in recognizing and preventing workplace violence on campus; and 
8. arrange regularly scheduled workplace violence prevention training sessions for employees. 

B. It is recommended that this team include representatives from University Police, Human Resource Services, Environmental Health and Safety, the unions and others, including faculty, staff and students, as deemed appropriate by the President.

C. In lieu of establishing the Workplace Violence Advisory Team, the President may opt to expand the President's Personal Safety Committee with representatives from the areas previously recommended to address workplace violence issues at the campus and perform the functions outlined above.
 Workplace Violence Prevention Program
A. SUNY Plattsburgh shall develop and implement a written Workplace Violence Prevention Program  for its workplaces that includes the following:

1. a definition of workplace violence; 
2. commitment to zero tolerance of workplace violence; 
3. techniques on how to recognize and avoid workplace violence situations; 
4. identification of the high risk occupations; 
5. the importance of reporting all workplace violence incidents and the procedure to do so; 
6. investigations of incidents by the employer; and 
7. employee assistance. 

Information and Training for Employees
A. SUNY Plattsburgh shall make the written workplace violence prevention program available, upon request, to its employees and their designated representatives.

B. At the time of employees' initial assignment and annually thereafter, the College shall provide its employees with the following information and training on the risks of violence in their workplace(s):

1. be informed of the requirements of NYS Labor Law § 27-b; 
2. the risk factors in their workplace(s); 
3. the location and availability of the written workplace violence prevention program; and 
4. training sessions that outline:
   a. the measures employees can take to protect themselves from such risks, including specific procedures the College has implemented to protect employees and
   b. the details of the written workplace violence prevention program developed by the College.
    
   Retaliation
   Retaliatory action against anyone acting in good faith who has made a complaint of workplace violence, who has reported witnessing workplace violence, or who has been involved in reporting, investigating, or responding to workplace violence is a violation of this policy. Those found responsible for retaliatory action will be subject to discipline up to and including termination.
   
   You can view the Procedure in its entirety at:  WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROCEDURE
    

Contact Information

For more information about Administrative Policies, please contact:

Diana LaPorte
Associate Vice President for Administration
Office: Kehoe 710-11
Phone: (518) 564-2539
Fax: (518) 564-2540
Email: laportdm@plattsburgh.edu