Workplace Violence Policy

I.    Purpose:

Washington State School for the Blind is committed to providing a safe workplace for all employees.  To ensure a safe workplace and to reduce the risk of violence, all employees should review and understand the provisions of this workplace violence policy.

II.   Scope:

This policy applies to all Washington State School for the Blind employees and non-employees, including consultants, contractors, outside vendors and customers.

III.   Policy:

The Washington State School for the Blind will not tolerate any type of workplace violence committed by or against employees.  Employees are prohibited against making threats or engaging in violent activities.

This list of behaviors, while not inclusive, provides examples of conduct that is prohibited.

1. Causing physical injury to another person;
2. Making threatening remarks;
3. Aggressive or hostile behavior that creates a reasonable fear of injury to another person or subjects another individual to emotional distress;
4. Intentionally damaging employer property or property of another employee;
5. Possession of a weapon while on school property or while on school business;
6. Committing acts motivated by, or related to, sexual harassment or domestic violence.

IV.  Reporting Procedures:

Any potentially dangerous situations must be reported immediately to a supervisor, the human resources department or the campus Safety Officer.  Reports can be made anonymously and all reported incidents will be investigated.  Reports or incidents warranting confidentiality will be handled appropriately and information will be disclosed to others only on a need to know basis.  All parties involved in a situation will be counseled and the results of the investigations will be discussed with them.  Washington State School for the Blind will actively intervene at any indication of a possibly hostile or violent situation. 

While we do not expect employees to be skilled at identifying potentially dangerous persons, employees are expected to exercise good judgment and to inform the Human Resources Department if any employee exhibits behavior which could be a sign of a potentially dangerous situation.  Such behavior includes:

1. Discussing weapons or bringing them to the workplace;
2. Displaying overt signs of extreme stress, resentment, hostility, or anger;
3. Making threatening remarks;
4. Sudden or significant deterioration of performance;
5. Displaying irrational or inappropriate behavior.

V.  Enforcement

Threats, threatening conduct, or any other acts of aggression or violence committed in the workplace will not be tolerated.  Any employee determined to have committed such acts will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.  Employees or non-employees engaged in violent acts on the employer’s premises will be reported to the proper authorities and fully prosecuted.