Violence in the Workplace City of Roseville Finance Department – Training.

Violence in the Workplace

City of RosevilleFinance 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 3 Steps to Reduce and Eliminate Workplace Eliminate Workplace ViolenceViolence

3 Steps to Reduce and 3 Steps to Reduce and Eliminate Workplace Eliminate Workplace ViolenceViolence

1. Become familiar with and recognize warning signs:

a. Level of vulnerabilityb. Warning signs of workplace violencec. Learn how to diffuse potentially violent situations

i. Attend personal safety training programs

d. Unsafe situations and conditionsi. Any location where you feel unsafeii. High crime areasiii. Level of lightingiv. Work time (nights and early morning hours)

Reducing and Reducing and Eliminating Eliminating Workplace Violence – Workplace Violence – Step 1Step 1


2. Take actions to eliminate workplace violence

a. Field staff to carry cell phonesb. Field staff to keep a contact person informed

of their locationc. Use of “buddy system” or police assistance in

potentially dangerous situations or at nightd. Understanding worker’s right to refuse to

provide services in a clearly hazardous situation



3. Zero Tolerance Policy on workforce violence

a. Document and take immediate and appropriate action



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

786-6464 (Cell) 911 Always 911 first for

imminent violence and/orlife threatening crimes

Together we can eliminate…

Violence in the Workplace

Violence in the Workplace City of Roseville Finance Department – Training.

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Transcript of Violence in the Workplace City of Roseville Finance Department – Training.