Risk Research Bulletin, September 2009 The Double-Edged Sword of Workplace Violence: A Liability Predicament for Educational Employers Risk Research Bulletin, September 2009

The Double-Edged Sword Safety of campus Required Due Process Overcoming The Double-Edged Sword Reviewing Applicable Policies Recognizing and Reacting to Danger Signs Avoiding Employment Liability

Review Applicable Policies Workplace Violence Policy. Ensure that the institution can take immediate action through: Broad policy language Flexibility Train supervisors to respond to minor behavioral problems Ensure appropriate discipline for false reports

Review Applicable Policies Email Policy Expressly permit monitoring of all email accounts State that all emails are subject to review

Recognizing and Reacting to Danger Signs Respond Appropriately to Behavior Behavioral clues Address problematic behaviors early Supervisor training

Recognizing and Reacting to Danger Signs Investigate Reports of Troubled Employees Document both employee and institutional actions Get an outside threat assessment Notify local police

Avoiding Employment Liability Temper the Institutional Response Suspension vs. termination Limit communications Avoid Inconsistent Discipline Consult attorney

Avoiding Employment Liability Beware of Disability Issues Rules of conduct “Direct threat” Recognize Special Problems with Faculty Tenure or tenure track Tenure revocation