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2.2.4 Violence in the Workplace

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Authority
Approved by the Vice President for Human Resources.
Last Updated

Formerly Known As Policy Number: 2.2.11, 23.9

This policy provides guidelines for responding to violence or threats of violence in the workplace, including all University locations.

Applicability:

Applies to all Stanford University employees, and to all individuals who, while not Stanford employees, provide services at Stanford.

1. Policy

Stanford University strives to provide employees with a safe environment in which to work. Therefore, the University will not tolerate acts or threats of violence in the workplace as further described in this policy. In addition, all weapons, as defined by California Penal Code, are banned from university premises unless written permission is given by the Stanford Department of Public Safety. Employees who violate this policy will be subject to corrective action, including termination. Non-employee violations of this policy will be handled in accordance with applicable laws.

2. Definitions

a. Workplace violence

means any act of violence or threat of violence that occurs in a place of employment. Acts of workplace violence include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The threat or use of physical force against an employee that results in, or has a high likelihood of resulting in, injury, psychological trauma, or stress, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.
  • An incident involving a threat or use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, including the use of common objects as weapons, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.
  • An incident involving a threat or use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, including common objects as weapons, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.

b. A threat of violence

means any verbal or written statement, including, but not limited to, texts, electronic messages, social media messages, or other online posts, or any behavioral or physical conduct, that conveys an intent, or that is reasonably perceived to convey an intent, to cause physical harm or to place someone in fear of physical harm, and that serves no legitimate purpose.

Note: Harassment or stalking of a nature other than that related to threats or acts of physical violence, such as sexual harassment or sexual assault, may be covered by other university policies.

c. Workplace

includes all university locations and off-campus locations where faculty, staff, or student employees are engaged in university business.

3. General Roles and Responsibilities

a. In general

  1. Any person experiencing or observing actual or imminent violence should immediately call 911 or 9-911 from a university telephone.
  2. Any person who believes a crime has been committed against them has the right to report that to the proper law enforcement agency.

b. Employee

Each employee:

  1. Should report any acts or threats of violence to:
    • Their immediate supervisor or other manager in the applicable school or unit, or
    • Their local Human Resources office, or
    • University Human Resources-Employee & Labor Relations, who can be reached at (650) 721-4272
    • In emergency situations, call 911 or 9-911 from a university telephone. School of Medicine Security can be reached at (650) 723-7222 (or x37222) and SLAC Site Security can be reached at (650) 926-5555 (or x5555).
  2. Should notify their supervisor of any restraining orders against individuals that include the workplace.

c. Supervisor:

The immediate supervisor's responsibilities are:

  1. To respond promptly to issues related to workplace safety.
  2. In the event of a potential or actual incident, to inform their local Human Resources office or University Human Resources-Employee & Labor Relations who can be reached at (650) 721-4272 or stanfordelr@stanford.edu. School of Medicine Security can be reached at (650) 723-7222 (or 37222), and SLAC Site Security can be reached at (650) 926-5555 (or x5555).
  3. In the event they are advised of a restraining order, contact the local Human Resources office which in turn should consult with University Human Resources-Employee & Labor Relations.

d. Local Human Resources Office

Local Human Resources offices are responsible to:

  1. Contact University Human Resources-Employee & Labor Relations immediately after being made aware of a violent act or threat of violence.
  2. Conduct investigations of situations as directed by University Human Resources-Employee & Labor Relations.

e. University Human Resources-Employee & Labor Relations

  1. Consult and advise management regarding concerns about violent and potentially violent employees or others.
  2. In the event of an act or threat of violence, determine the investigation process and coordinate with the assigned investigator. Work with school/unit management, legal counsel, and the Department of Public Safety to determine the appropriate action to be taken.
  3. Consult with the Threat Assessment Team as needed.
  4. Gather and maintain University-wide information on workplace acts or threats of violence. This includes maintaining a violent incident log.

f. Faculty Staff Help Center

  1. Provide confidential counseling services to any employee desiring assistance with situations relating to anger or threats or violence in the workplace.
  2. Provide educational and emotional support and consultation to groups and individuals who are victims, observers, or otherwise adversely affected by a violent incident or threat.
  3. Provide consultation to management on evaluating the potential for violence by employees.

g. Department of Public Safety and Site Security

  1. The Stanford Department of Public Safety (or other applicable law enforcement agency) takes appropriate law enforcement actions.
  2. Site Security officers (including SLAC Site Security and School of Medicine Security) notify and cooperate with all law enforcement agencies as appropriate.

h. Threat Assessment Team

The University's Threat Assessment Team may coordinate the assessment of any situation where there is a concern for risk of potential threat or violence, and may provide additional assessment of situations to determine if further resources and actions are needed.

4. Reporting Obligations and Procedures

a. Reporting Obligations

Employees are required to immediately report any acts or threats of violence as defined in this policy.

  1. In emergency situations involving an imminent act or threat of violence, immediately call 911 or 9-911 from a university telephone. In an emergency in which 911 is called regarding an incident involving SLAC or the School of Medicine, then contact School of Medicine Security at (650) 723-7222 (or x37222) or SLAC Site Security at (650) 926-5555 (or x5555).
  2. All acts or threats of violence must also be promptly reported to:
  3. Employees who have reported restraining orders against individuals that include the workplace should notify their supervisor. Supervisors who are advised of a restraining order should contact their local Human Resources office which in turn should consult with University Human Resources-Employee & Labor Relations.

b. Procedures

  1. The response to emergency situations that require calling 911 is led by the Department of Public Safety or applicable law enforcement agency.
  2. University Human Resources-Employee & Labor Relations will assist in coordinating the needed resources, depending on the situation.
  3. Separate from any criminal investigation that law enforcement agencies may conduct (if applicable), University Human Resources-Employee & Labor Relations or its designee takes the lead for the university in conducting an investigation into the incident and, in conjunction with school/unit management, takes appropriate action, disciplinary or otherwise.

5. Required Workplace Violence Prevention Plan

Stanford University has developed a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (“Plan”) that recognizes and addresses workplace violence. The Plan includes, but is not limited to, procedures for identifying workplace violence hazards, procedures for communicating workplace violence matters, and reporting workplace violence incidents.

6. Required Workplace Violence Training

In compliance with California Labor Code Section 6401.9, all employees of Stanford (non-academic staff, academic staff, faculty, casual, temporary, and student employees) and postdoctoral scholars are required to participate in training about Stanford’s Workplace Violence Prevention Plan upon being hired and on an annual basis.

This training will include information regarding the Plan, how to report workplace violence incidents or concerns to Stanford or to law enforcement without fear of reprisal, and how to identify workplace violence hazards.

Failure to complete required training may result in corrective action.