SAFETY AND SECURITY
50.30
Revised 2-08
Business and Finance
335-5524
Human Resource Services
335-4521
PDF link
POLICY
The University is committed to maintaining an environment that is free from all acts or threats of violence perpetrated by or against employees, students, or members of the public.
While on University property or while conducting University business at other locations, each employee, student, or individual is prohibited from subjecting any other employee, student, or individual to any violence or threat of violence.
Violent action on University property or facilities, or while on University business, will not be tolerated or ignored. Individuals who engage in violent or threatening behavior may be:
- Removed from the premises;
- Subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal or expulsion; and/or
- Subject to arrest and criminal prosecution.
Applicability
This policy applies to:
- All levels and areas of University operations and programs;
- Students;
- Faculty;
- Staff; and
- Visitors, volunteers, and all other personnel.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Employees
All employees:
- Must refrain from workplace violence.
- Are encouraged to seek assistance to resolve personal issues that may lead to workplace violence.
- Must report incidents of workplace violence to an appropriate manager or supervisor.
Manager/Supervisor
The manager or supervisor is responsible for completing and submitting a Workplace Violence Incident Report form to the campus Human Resource Services (HRS) office to report each incident. HRS offices are located at the Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver campuses.
To obtain copies of the form, complete and/or print the blank master on 50.30.8.
Physical Injuries
If any physical injuries result from the workplace violence incident, the manager or supervisor must also complete an Incident Report (Accidental Injuries and Work-Related Illnesses). See SPPM S25.20.
Manager/Supervisor/HRS/Police
The appropriate manager, supervisor, the campus HRS office, or the University or local police department is responsible for promptly investigating the incident and recommending appropriate action.
DEFINING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
Workplace violence is any physical assault, threatening, or intimidating behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting.
Workplace violence may involve, but is not limited to:
- A violent, threatening, or intimidating act by an individual who has no legitimate relationship to the workplace and enters it to commit a criminal act.
- A violent, threatening, or intimidating act by an individual who is the recipient (or object) of a University service provided by the affected workplace or the victim. This could include, but is not limited to, a current or former client, student, patient, or customer.
- A violent, threatening, or intimidating act by an individual who has some employment-related involvement with the University.
Examples
Some examples of workplace violence include:
- Verbal threats to inflict bodily harm, including vague or covert threats.
- Verbal harassment, abusive or offensive language, or gestures towards supervisors, fellow employees, or the public.
- Disorderly conduct, such as shouting, throwing or pushing objects, punching walls, and slamming doors.
- False or malicious statements made against coworkers, supervisors, or subordinates which could damage their reputations or undermine their authority.
PROCEDURES
Immediate Threat
Any employee who perceives an immediate threat of bodily harm should:
- Contact police immediately.
- Disengage and evacuate the area.
- Isolate the threatening individual if it is safe to do so.
- Notify the supervisor.
- Do whatever is reasonable to keep other employees from potential harm.
Violent Incident
If the act or altercation constitutes an emergency, telephone 911.
Hostile Intruders
University Police have prepared special guidelines for extreme situations, i.e., when hostile intruders cause death or serious bodily injury, or when there is a real threat of death or serious bodily injury. Refer to the "Emergency Action Plan" information below or the attachments on 50.30.5-7. The guidelines are formatted to facilitate printing and posting on bulletin boards.
Reporting Incidents
Employees must report any incident of workplace violence to an immediate manager or supervisor. NOTE: Repeated unfounded complaints of workplace violence may constitute misconduct or employee abuse.
If the immediate supervisor or manager is the perpetrator of the violence, the employee reports the incident to the next level higher supervisor or to the campus HRS office.
The manager or supervisor must route a completed Workplace Violence Incident Report form to the campus HRS office. To obtain copies of the form, complete and/or print the blank master on 50.30.8.
Physical Injuries
If any physical injuries result from the workplace violence incident, the manager or supervisor must also complete an Incident Report (Accidental Injuries and Work-Related Illnesses). See SPPM S25.20.
Victims of physical injuries should be examined by medical personnel. Injuries should be recorded.
Additional Reporting Requirements
Students
In addition to routing the Workplace Violence Incident Report, report allegations of violent conduct by students or student workers to the Office of Student Affairs.
Faculty
In addition to routing the Workplace Violence Incident Report, report allegations of violent conduct by faculty to the Office of the Provost or the office of the appropriate vice president.
Criminal Activity
When suspected criminal activity is involved, the manager, supervisor or the campus HRS office must inform the appropriate vice president.
Incidents involving suspected criminal activity are to be referred to the University Police Department or the local police department for assessment and/or investigation.
Protection or Restraining Order
An employee who obtains a protection or restraining order that lists a University location as a protected area must immediately provide a copy of the order to his/her supervisor, the campus HRS office, and the University Police Department or local police department.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Hostile Intruder Response--Academic and Administrative Buildings
When a hostile person is actively causing or threatening death or serious bodily injury, University Police recommend that building occupants implement the following procedures.
NOTE: While the guide refers primarily to academic/administrative buildings, these procedures are also relevant to other common buildings on campus.
- Remain in the classroom or office and immediately lock doors to the hallway. If possible cover any windows or openings that have a direct line of sight into the hallway.
- If communication is available, telephone 911.
- Do not sound the fire alarm. A fire alarm would place occupants in potential harm as they attempt to leave the building.
- Lock the windows and close blinds or curtains.
- Stay away from the windows.
- Turn off lights and all audio equipment.
- Try to remain as calm as possible.
- Keep everyone together.
- Keep classrooms secure until police arrive and give directions.
- If not in a classroom, try to get to a classroom or an office.
- Stay out of open areas and be as quiet as possible.
If caught in an open area such as a hallway or lounge, you must decide upon a course of action. Options include:
Hiding Make sure any hiding place is secure and not obvious. Running
If you think you can safely make it out of the building by running, then do so. If you decide to run, do not run in a straight line. Attempt to keep objects such as, desks, cabinets, fixtures, etc. between you and the hostile person. Once outside, do not run in a straight line. Use trees, vehicles and other objects to block you from the view of the intruder. When away from the immediate area of danger, summon help in any way you can and warn others. Playing dead If the person is causing death or serious physical injury to others and you are unable to run or hide you may choose to play dead if other victims are in the immediate vicinity. Fighting Your last option if you are caught in an open area in a building may be to fight back. This is dangerous, but depending on your situation, this could be your last option. If you are caught by the intruder and are not going to fight back, obey all commands and don't look the intruder in the eyes.
Once the police arrive, obey all commands. This may involve being handcuffed or keeping your hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons and once circumstances are evaluated by the police, they will give you further directions.
Hostile Intruder Response--Residence Halls
When a hostile person is actively causing or threatening death or serious bodily injury, University Police recommend that residence hall occupants implement the following procedures.
- Remain in your room and immediately lock the door to the hallway.
- If away from your room, join others in a room that can be locked.
- Don't stay in an open hallway.
- If communication is available, telephone 911.
- Do not sound the fire alarm. A fire alarm would place occupants in potential harm as they attempt to leave the building.
- Barricade yourself in your room with desks, beds, or anything you can push against the door.
- Lock the windows and close blinds or curtains.
- Stay away from the windows.
- Turn off lights and all audio equipment.
- Try to remain as calm as possible.
- Stay out of open areas and be as quiet as possible.
If caught in an open area such as a hallway or lounge, you must decide upon a course of action. Options include:
Hiding Make sure any hiding place is secure and not obvious. Running
If you think you can safely make it out of the building by running, then do so. If you decide to run, do not run in a straight line. Attempt to keep objects such as, desks, cabinets, fixtures, etc. between you and the hostile person. Once outside, do not run in a straight line. Use trees, vehicles and other objects to block you from the view of the intruder. When away from the immediate area of danger, summon help in any way you can and warn others. Playing dead If the person is causing death or serious physical injury to others and you are unable to run or hide you may choose to play dead if other victims are in the immediate vicinity. Fighting Your last option if you are caught in an open area in a building may be to fight back. This is dangerous, but depending on your situation, this could be your last option. If you are caught by the intruder and are not going to fight back, obey all commands and don't look the intruder in the eyes.
Once the police arrive, obey all commands. This may involve being handcuffed or keeping your hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons and once circumstances are evaluated by the police, they will give you further directions.
Hostile Intruder Response--University Grounds
When a hostile person is actively causing or threatening death or serious bodily injury on University grounds, University Police recommend consideration of the following options for those caught in exposed locations.
Running
If you think you can safely get away by running, then do so. If you decide to run, do not run in a straight line. Attempt to keep objects between you and the hostile person. Use trees, vehicles and other objects to block you from the view of the intruder. When away from the immediate area of danger, summon help any way you can and warn others. Hiding If you decide to hide, make sure the hiding place is secure and not obvious. Playing dead If the person is causing death or serious physical injury to others and you are unable to run or hide you may choose to play dead if other victims are around you. Fighting Your last option if you are caught in an open area may be to fight back. This is dangerous, but depending on your situation, this could be your last option. If you are caught by the intruder and are not going to fight back, obey all commands and don't look the intruder in the eyes.
Once the police arrive, obey all commands. This may involve being handcuffed or keeping your hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons and once circumstances are evaluated by the police, they will give you further directions.
Print the guidelines in the PDF version of 50.30.5-7
for distribution and posting as needed.
See the PDF form:
50.30.8: Workplace Violence Incident
Report
Complete and/or print as needed.