Employee Safety & Workplace Violence
Prevention Policy
Effective Date: July 1, 2009
Board Approval: June 9, 2009
1. Purpose
1.1. The purpose of the Tooele Technical College (TTECH) Safety and Workplace Violence Policy is to prove an environment free from violence or threats of violence in the workplace and to take reasonable
precautions to ensure the safety and health of people, facilities, equipment, and other College property.
2. References
2.1. TTECH Disciplinary Actions Policy
2.2. TTECH EEOC & Anti-Harassment Policy
2.3. Utah Code Ann. Sec. 76-3-203.2(1), Definitions – Use of dangerous weapon in offenses committed on or about school premises.
2.4. Utah Code Ann. Sec. 76-10-505-.5, Possession of a dangerous weapon, firearm, or sawed-off shotgun on or about school premises – Penalties.
3. Definitions
3.1. Third Parties: Individuals who are not College employees, such as relatives, acquaintances, or strangers.
3.2. Workplace: Any location, either permanent or temporary, where an employee performs any work-related duty. This includes, but is not limited to, the buildings and the surrounding perimeters, including the parking lots, field locations, alternate work locations, and travel to and from work assignments.
4. Policy
4.1. Any acts of violence, bodily harm, or physical intimidation by employees will not be tolerated and may be grounds for immediate dismissal. When this type of behavior is exhibited, the College reserves the right to request an evaluation by a health care/mental health professional to determine fitness for duty.
4.2. Any violent or potentially violent behavior, physical assault, threatening behavior or verbal abuse that arises from or occurs in the workplace by employees or third parties will not be tolerated and may be grounds for immediate dismissal, eviction from campus premises, arrest, request to the County Attorney to file criminal charges, etc. It includes, but is not limited to, beating, stabbing, suicide, shooting, rape, attempted suicide, psychological trauma such as threats, obscene phone calls, or intimidating presence, and harassment of any nature such as stalking, or inappropriate shouting.
4.3. The College specifically prohibits the possession of weapons in violation of law, by any employee while on College property. This includes keeping or transporting a weapon in a vehicle in a parking area, whether public or private. This prohibition explicitly includes any dangerous weapon, firearm, or sawed off shotgun, on or about College promises.
4.4. Supervisors are responsible to be continuously cognizant of safety needs and initiate prevention
measures to control activities under their direction.
4.5. All members of the College must cooperate to maintain a safe work environment. Individuals should
report to their supervisor any incident of violence, threatening, harassing, or intimidating behavior in the workplace, whether or not those involved are College employees. This would include, but is not limited to restraining orders or protective orders from domestic situations. Supervisors who receive reports of
violent or threatening behavior that directly involve College employees must immediately notify the
Human Resource Office so the measure can be taken for protection and safety.
4.6. Employees who believe they are victims of workplace violence may request to report incidents of
workplace violence in confidence. Such requests will be honored to the degree legally allowable.
Employees may utilize one or more of the following options in reporting incidents:
4.6.1. Seek to resolve issues directly with the individual(s) alleged to have created an unsafe work
environment or harassed.
4.6.2. Seek to resolve issues through supervisor.
4.6.3. Initiate outside legal action through any law enforcement agency. It is recommended that where time allows (before the end of the applicable statutes of limitations) grievance procedures within the college be utilized.
4.7. The Human Resource Director may initiate an independent investigation into an alleged act of violence, or prohibited behavior, which need not be based upon the alleged victim’s choice of action. In addition, the College reserves the right to initiate its own criminal investigation as well as civil or administrative.
4.8. Consideration shall be given to the alleged victim’s requests in the investigation process and fact-finding hearing. College officials, however, reserve the right to override the alleged victim’s preferences in handling complaints.
4.9. The College provides fair, expeditious and uniform procedures for investigation and resolution of claims of prohibited behavior.
4.10. The initial notice or inquiry may be submitted either orally or in writing. If the complainant is not willing to file a written complaint, the College can opt to proceed with an investigation without a written
complaint.
4.11. If an investigation reveals evidence of criminal conduct, or if there is even suspicion of criminal conduct, even at the outset, without independent investigation, the College reserves the right to contact law enforcement immediately, regardless of the complainant’s choice of action. The College reserves all rights to initiate its own actions, even if it is to do nothing but call the police or other law enforcement agency.
4.12. The College reserves the right to ensure the peace and safety of the employee’s workplace an/or campus environment by any reasonable means including administrative/employment sanction and civil or criminal law enforcement.
5. Retaliation
5.1. Retaliation against any person who opposes a practice, which is forbidden by this policy, or has filed a complaint, testified, assisted or participated in any manner in an investigative proceeding or hearing
under the policy is prohibited. Individuals found guilty of retaliation may face disciplinary action, up to
and including termination.