The Violence Free Workplace Policy is in keeping with City Charter Section 3.01 ( 12).

Transcription

1 VIOLENCE FREE WORKPLACE POLICY AUTHORITY The Violence Free Workplace Policy is in keeping with City Charter Section 3.01 ( 12). POLICY STATEMENT Threats and violence in the workplace will not be tolerated. Employees engaging in workplace violence will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment and the City may notify appropriate authorities. PURPOSE The purposes of this policy are to: Ensure a safe, healthy, comfortable, and productive work environment for employees; and Establish that any form of violence in the workplace will not be tolerated; and Require that all reported incidents be taken seriously and be dealt with promptly and appropriately; and Establish procedures for the prevention, reporting, resolution, and penalties of workplace violence; and Hold employees accountable for any violation of policy. SCOPE OF APPLICABILITY This policy applies to all City of West Palm Beach employees and volunteers. Where provisions of this policy conflict with a collective bargaining agreement, the collective bargaining agreement shall prevail. STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES A. General 1. Violence in the workplace is prohibited. 2. In the case of an ongoing immediate serious threat or commission of a crime all persons are directed to immediately call Department Directors are required to enforce this policy. Page 1 of 4

2 4. Any employee who experiences or witnesses workplace violence or threats of workplace violence shall immediately report the incident to a supervisor or department director who shall immediately call and inform the Human Resources Employee Relations Division and the Chief Human Resources Officer. 5. Any employee who feels there is an immediate serious threat to his or her safety or the safety of others will notify proper law enforcement authorities and a supervisor or department director. 6. Each incident of violent behavior, whether the incident is committed by another employee or an external individual (such as a customer, vendor, or citizen), must be reported to the department director. The department director shall use best efforts to ensure the attached Workplace Violence Report Form is promptly completed and forwarded to the Human Resources Department, Employee Relations Division for evaluation, investigation, and appropriate action. Failure to obtain a completed form shall not reflect upon the seriousness of, impede, or diminish the need for prompt investigation of any alleged policy violation(s). 7. Employees who engage in workplace violence may be immediately removed from the work site. 8. The City of West Palm Beach may notify appropriate authorities of alleged criminal acts in the workplace and cite this policy as a basis for administrative investigation of violent behavior occurring outside of the workplace in appropriate circumstances, including but not limited to instances where criminal charges have been filed against an employee. 9. A department director may request that the Police Department conduct a security assessment and make recommendation for improvements. B. Prevention 1. The City desires to maintain a safe work environment and prevent workplace violence. 2. Prevention efforts include, but are not limited to: a. Informing employees of this policy; b. Instructing employees about the dangers of workplace violence; Page 2 of 4

3 August10,2018 c. Prohibiting unauthorized use or possession of firearms or other weapons while at work, in a City vehicle, in any City building, or in a City uniform (excluding authorized public safety personnel, e.g. Police Officers); d. Communicating the sanctions imposed for violating this policy; e. Educating employees and supervisors on how to recognize and defuse hostile situations; and f. Providing a means of reporting incidents of workplace violence without fear of reprisal. C. Employee Responsibilities 1. Employees shall immediately report incidents of workplace violence (including threats) to a supervisor or department director. In the case of immediate serious threat or commission of a crime, employees shall also report the incident to a local law enforcement agency. In the event of imminent danger to persons, employees shall take action to safeguard persons. 2. All cases of workplace violence shall be reported to the Human Resources Department on the attached Workplace Violence Report Form as soon as feasible following the alleged incident. 3. All employees shall acknowledge the receipt and understanding of the Violence Free Workplace Policy. D. Supervisory Responsibilities 1. Supervisors shall attend training to improve their skills in identifying and defusing workplace problems and issues. 2. Supervisors are expected to intervene appropriately when they are made aware of threats or they witness workplace violence and use de-escalation techniques when necessary to address conduct inconsistent with this policy. 3. Supervisors shall immediately contact the Human Resources Department, Employee Relations Division and the Chief Human Resources Officer if they become aware of an incident of workplace violence or if they become aware of a direct or perceived threat. Page 3 of 4

4 August10, In cases where an incident of workplace violence has occurred, the supervisor in conjunction with the department director, and as advised by the Chief Human Resources Officer, will administer disciplinary action. E. Human Resources Responsibilities 1. The Human Resources Department will take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of violent behavior. 2. The Human Resources Department will periodically review the Violence Free Workplace Policy and update the policy as required. 3. The Human Resources Department will ensure the development and implementation of appropriate training for supervisors and employees with a view toward eliminating or minimizing workplace violence. 4. The Chief Human Resources Officer shall cause an investigation of all reports of workplace violence and recommend disciplinary action. 5. The Chief Human Resources Officer shall report all incidents of workplace violence to the City Administrator and any known incidents of violence occurring outside the workplace resulting in criminal charges being filed against any employee. Failure to follow this policy may result in discipline up to and including termination of employment. is effective this _1 Oth_day of August, 2018 ~/#.t~.rj./geraldine Muoio Mayor Page 4 of 4

5 WEST PALM BEACH Human Resources WORKPLACE VIOLENCE REPORT Violence Free Workplace Employee Name: Department/Division: Phone: Date & Time of incident: Location of incident: Nature of incident: (e.g. physical, implied, verbal threat): Reported to Police Agency: WPBPD Other Agency Case No. : Who made the threat or committed the violent behavior? (Include name, if unknown include description.) Against whom was the threat of the violent behavior directed? Describe in detail the violence that occurred. (Use specific language.): What are the names of any other witnesses to the threat or violent behavior? (Include contact information if possible) Employee Signature: Date: _ Supervisor's comments: Received by: Date & Time: Note: Additional sheets may be attached. Initial each additional sheet.

6 WEST PALM BEACH Human Re1.ourcc EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I have read and understand this Violence Free Workplace Policy (4-18) and agree to comply with its requirements. I further understand that failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Employee Name (Print) Employee 1.0. # Employee Signature