Violence in the Workplace City of Roseville Finance Department – Training

What is Workplace Violence?  Workplace violence is violence/hostility or threat of violence against workers.  It can occur at or outside the workplace and can range from verbal abuse to physical assault.

Who Commits Workplace Violence?  Strangers  Customers  Co-workers  Domestic Partners

Who is Vulnerable?  Workers With Increased Vulnerability  Positions that:  Exchange money with the public  Deliver passengers, goods, or services  Work alone or in small groups, work late night or early morning hours  Work in high-crime areas  Have extensive contact with the public… utility workers

Types of Workplace Violence  Bullying  Threats  Harassment  Assaults

Behavioral Warning Signs  Disruptive Behavior disturbs, interferes with or prevents normal work functions or activities. Examples: yelling, using profanity, waving arms or fists, verbally abusing others.  Threatening Behavior includes physical actions short of actual contact/injury. Examples: moving closer aggressively, general oral or written threats to people or property, "You better watch your back" or "I'll get you" as well as implicit threats "you'll be sorry" or "this isn't over".  Violent Behavior includes any physical assault, with or without weapons; behavior that a reasonable person would interpret as being potentially violent. Examples: throwing things, pounding on a desk or door, or destroying property, or specific threats to inflict physical harm [a threat to shoot a named individual].

Warning Signs of Workplace Violence  Sudden change in behavior  Decrease in productivity  Sudden withdrawal from friends and co-workers  Vandalizes or steals from co-workers  New usage of abusive language or unacceptable behavior

Domestic Violence  Why does it occur at work?  Abuser knows where victim can be found  Domestic violence is about control  The victim isn’t under the immediate control of the abuser

1. Become familiar with and recognize warning signs 2. Take action to minimize/eliminate workplace violence 3. Zero Tolerance Policy on workforce violence 3 Steps to Reduce and Eliminate Workplace Violence

1. Become familiar with and recognize warning signs: a. Level of vulnerability b. Warning signs of workplace violence c. Learn how to diffuse potentially violent situations i. Attend personal safety training programs d. Unsafe situations and conditions i. Any location where you feel unsafe ii. High crime areas iii. Level of lighting iv. Work time (nights and early morning hours) Reducing and Eliminating Workplace Violence – Step 1

2. Take actions to eliminate workplace violence a. Field staff to carry cell phones b. Field staff to keep a contact person informed of their location c. Use of “buddy system” or police assistance in potentially dangerous situations or at night d. Understanding worker’s right to refuse to provide services in a clearly hazardous situation Reducing and Eliminating Workplace Violence – Step 2

3. Zero Tolerance Policy on workforce violence a. Document and take immediate and appropriate action Reducing and Eliminating Workplace Violence – Step 3

What do I Do? Everyone Must Report !  Unsafe situations  Security Infractions  Suspicious Activity  Policy Violations  Domestic Violence  Crimes In Progress

Report To…  Supervisor  Manager  Human Resources  Police  (Cell)  911  Always 911 first for imminent violence and/or life threatening crimes

Together we can eliminate… Violence in the Workplace