Workplace Violence Mandatory Training Definition of Workplace n

Workplace Violence Mandatory Training

Definition of Workplace n A workplace is any location, either permanent or temporary, where an employee performs any work-related duty n This includes buildings and surrounding grounds including parking lots, field locations, clients’ homes and traveling to and from work assignments

What is Workplace Violence? n Workplace violence is defined as any: – Physical assault or – Threatening behavior or – Verbal abuse that occurs in the work place

What Does Workplace Violence Include? n Beatings n Threats or obscene n Stabbings phone calls n Intimidation n Being sworn or shouted at n Harassment (excludes discipline and performance appraisal) n Suicides n Shootings n Rapes n Near-suicides n Psychological traumas

Examples of Workplace Violence n Verbal threats to inflict bodily harm; including vague or covert threats n Attempting to cause physical harm; including striking, pushing and other aggressive physical acts

Possible Perpetrators of Workplace Violence n Strangers n Customers or clients n Co-workers n Personal relations

Risk Factors for Employees n Having contact with the public n Working late night or early morning n Exchanging money with the public n Working alone or in small numbers n Having uncontrolled access to the workplace n Having a mobile workplace such as a police cruiser or ambulance service

Risk Factors (continued) n Having handguns and other weapons available n Not having training and not recognizing risk factors n Unstable or volatile clients

New York State Workplace Violence Prevention Act n NYS Legislation passed on June 7, 2006 requires any employer with 20 or more employees to do two things: – Perform a workplace evaluation or risk assessment at each worksite – Develop and implement programs to prevent and minimize workplace violence

Universal Precautions for Violence n Violence can be avoided or mitigated through training and preparation n Physical intervention during workplace altercations should be limited

Employee Role n Understand comply with safety and security measures n Report any incident using Reporting Form within 24 hours n Discuss safety concerns and offer suggestions to improve employee safety to supervisor

Future Steps for Implementation n Workplace violence assessment n Specific DEPT policies regarding workplace violence n Referral to EAP for counseling n Conflict Resolution Training – How to recognize escalating behavior – How to diffuse conflict – Safety measures during conflict resolution

Workplace Violence Training. n Thank You!!!