City of Davis

Management has the responsibility to provide a safe, secure workplace.

• Management is responsible for safe hiring and firing.
• They are responsible to thoroughly investigate any report of violence or threat of violence.
• Each of you has the responsible to cooperate with this and to help keep a crime free workplace.
• Workplace violence is the fastest growing form of murder in the U.S

What is Workplace Violence

• Threats of harm.
• Physical assaults.
• Injury.
• Harassing mail or phone calls.
• Talking.
• Indirect threats by co-workers.

 

Types of Violence

• Inappropriate conduct by people with no legitimate business at the workplace.
• Inappropriate conduct by a patient or a patients family
• Inappropriate conduct associated to the workplace by an employee

 

Primary Circumstances

• Robbery
• Disgruntled employees or their families.
• Violence of one employee against another.
• Terrorist, arsonist, political activist.

What you can do

• If someone comes in who should not be there notify a supervisor and in most cases notify the police.
• Give good information to the police dispatcher.
• Immediately let police know if someone is injured.
• Is the incident verbal or physical? Are there any weapons.
• How many people are involved.
• Maintain control—business like demeanor.
• Give a good description of the person(s) as they might leave before the police arrive.
• If at all possible someone should stay on phone with police and update the police on the situation.
• Project calmness.
• Pay attention-make eye contact –LISTEN- show you care.
• Never touch the person.
• Keep conversation with person private--being embarrassed seems to escalate the problem.
• Act as though you expect cooperation from them.
• Be reassuring and point out choices.
• Maintain a physical barrier between you and the person. Never stand directly in front of person. Do not invade their personal space. Step to one side or at a right angle. Keep a distance of at least 3’ if possible. Do not let person block your access to an exit.

What If Person Has A Weapon

• Do what you are told to do.
• Maintain self-control.
• Speak calmly and slowly.
• Lock doors when person leaves so the cannot get back in
• Get help as soon as possible. CALL 9-1-1 . Give good information.

What More Can Managers/Employees Do

• Lock unnecessary doors.
• Avoid working alone.
• After work leave the building together.
• Ask security to see you to your car.
• Last people out usually have access to money and possibly drugs.
• Watch for non-employees in employee area.