Workplace Violence Prevention Policy & Procedure
Policy Information
Policy Number | Policy Owner |
---|---|
8027.1 | Human Resource Services |
- 1.0 Purpose
- 2.0 Revision History
- 3.0 Units and Persons Affected
- 4.0 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.
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.
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
- SUNY Plattsburgh will not tolerate any act or threat of violence made in the workplace, on College property, or while in work status. This expectation also extends beyond the place of work to locations where state employees are representing SUNY Plattsburgh and/or performing their work-related duties and responsibilities.
- 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:
- Verbal aggression, by oral or written words, which includes constantly refusing to cooperate, spreading rumors to harm others, being aggressively argumentative, exhibiting belligerent behavior towards others, and/or gestures or symbols that communicate a direct or indirect threat of physical or mental harm.
- Physical acts, including suicidal or homicidal threats, physical fights (hitting, fighting, pushing), destruction of property, throwing objects, and/or commission of a murder, rape, or arson.
- Acts or threats which are intended to intimidate, threaten, coerce, or cause fear of harm whether directly or indirectly.
- No person, without legal authority, may carry, possess or use any dangerous weapon on College property or in College buildings or facilities.
Workplace Violence Prevention Program
SUNY Plattsburgh Workplace Violence Prevention Program* training for its workplaces includes the following:
-
- a definition of workplace violence;
- commitment to zero tolerance of workplace violence;
- techniques on how to recognize and avoid workplace violence situations;
- identification of the high risk occupations
- the importance of reporting all workplace violence incidents and the procedure to do so;
- investigations of incidents by the employer; and
- employee assistance.
*From the New York State Department of Labor Division of Safety and Health’s, Workplace Violence Prevention Requirement for New York State Public Employers (See Appendix).
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.
Process
Incidents of workplace violence, threats of workplace violence, or observations of workplace violence are not to be ignored by any member of the State University of New York College at (SUNY) Plattsburgh community. Workplace violence should promptly be reported to the appropriate College official (see below). Additionally, all members of the campus community are encouraged to report behavior they reasonably believe poses a potential for workplace violence in order to maintain a safe working and learning environment.
- 5.0 Definitions
- 6.0 Responsibilities
- 7.0 Procedures
- 8.0 Forms
- 9.0 Appendix
- 10.0 Distribution and Training
For additional information about this policy, please contact the policy owner listed above.