Workplace Violence Policy Statement

It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Virginia Highlands Community College to promote a safe environment for its employees, students and visitors. VHCC is committed to working with employees and students to maintain a campus environment free from violence, threats of violence, harassment, intimidation, and other disruptive behavior; however, no workplace is immune. 

Violence, threats, harassment, intimidation, and other disruptive behavior on our campus will not be tolerated. All reports of incidents will be taken seriously and will be dealt with appropriately. Such behavior can include oral or written statements, gestures, or expressions that communicate a direct or indirect threat of physical harm. Individuals who commit such acts may be removed from the premises and may be subject to disciplinary actions, criminal penalties, or both. 

Everyone’s cooperation is needed to implement this policy effectively and maintain a safe campus and working environment. Do not ignore violent, threatening, harassing, intimidating or other disruptive behavior. If you observe or experience such behavior by anyone on campus, whether he or she is an employee, student or visitor, report it immediately to a supervisor or to Campus Police. Supervisors who receive such reports should seek advice from the Human Resource Office regarding investigating the incident and initiating appropriate action.  PLEASE NOTE: Threats or assaults that require immediate attention by police should be reported immediately to Campus Police at office phone 276-739-2448 or cell phone 276-614-8282 or local police at 9-911.

Workplace Violence Prevention in the Workforce

One of the major components of any workplace violence program is prevention. No one is able to predict human behavior, so there is no specific “profile” of a potentially dangerous individual. However, there are indicators of increased risk of violent behavior available. These are some of the indicators:

1. Direct or indirect threats of harm
2. Intimidating, belligerent, harassing, bullying, or other inappropriate and aggressive behavior.
3. Conflicts with supervisors and other employees.
4. Drug/alcohol abuse or extreme changes in behavior.
5. Bringing a weapon to the workplace, or making inappropriate references to weapons.
6. Statements exclaiming fascination with violence, or the use of violence to resolve a problem.
7. Change in person’s normal behavior.

Each of these behaviors is a clear sign that something is wrong, and none of these warning signs should be ignored! By identifying the problem and dealing with it appropriately, we may be able to prevent violence from happening. 

Training is another critical component of any prevention strategy. Training will be offered and/or coordinated by the Campus Police Officer. All employees should know how to report incidents of violent, intimidating, threatening and other disruptive behavior.

All employees should also be provided with phone numbers for quick reference during a crisis or an emergency. The same approaches that create a healthy, productive workplace can also help prevent potentially violent situations, so it is important that this training include basic leadership skills such as setting clear standards, addressing employee problems promptly, and using the probationary period, performance counseling, discipline, and other management tools conscientiously.

In addition, training should include topics such as:

1. Explanation of the workplace violence policy.
2. Security procedures, e.g. the location and operation of safety devices such as alarm systems.
3. Ways of preventing or diffusing volatile situations or aggressive behavior.
4. How to deal with hostile persons, and how to manage anger.
5. Techniques and skills to resolve conflicts.
6. Ways to encourage employees to report incidents in which they feel threatened for any reason by anyone inside or outside the organization.
7. Skills in taking disciplinary actions, handling crisis situations, and basic emergency procedures.

In the case of violence, prevention steps must be multi-faceted, campus-wide and planned. Action should be determined as soon as the violence occurs, the underlying causes of the violence addressed, and the existing problems after the act of violence is identified.

Once an incident occurs you should immediately report it to Campus Police, and then the following should take place:

1. Secure the area where disturbances occurred.
2. Ensure the physical safety of employees and others remaining in the area as soon as possible.
3. Ensure that no area is left short-staffed while others are assisting with the victim, or helping secure the area.
4. Provide critical incident debriefing to victims, witnesses and other affected employees-these conversations must be kept confidential!

After an incident has occurred, a detailed investigation is imperative. A delay may cause important evidence to be removed or destroyed. All facts, such as: who, what, when, where and how-must be collected and recorded immediately. The investigation should be focused on fact-finding to prevent recurrence, and not fault-finding.