Workplace Violence

7.81 Workplace Violence

Effective Date:

WVEMS is concerned about the increased violence in society that has also filtered into many workplaces throughout the United States, and has taken steps to help prevent incidents of violence from occurring at the Agency. In this connection, it is the policy of WVEMS to expressly prohibit any acts or threats of violence by any employee, or former employee, against any other employee in or about the Company, or elsewhere, at any time. The Agency also will not condone any acts or threats of violence against our employees, customers, or visitors on our premises at any time or while they are engaged in business with, or on behalf of, the Agency, on or off Agency premises.

In keeping with the spirit and intent of this policy, and to ensure that the Agency’s objectives in this regard are attained, it is the commitment of WVEMS:

To provide a safe and healthful work environment, in accordance with our safety and health policy.

To take prompt remedial action up to, and including, immediate termination, against any employee who engages in any threatening behavior or acts of violence, or who uses any obscene, abusive, or threatening language or gestures.

To take appropriate action when dealing with customers, former employees, or visitors to our Agency who engage in such behavior. Such action may include notifying the police or other law enforcement personnel and prosecuting violators of this policy to the maximum extent of the law.

To establish viable security measures to ensure that our Agency is safe and secure to the maximum extent possible, and to properly handle access to Agency facilities by the public, off-duty employees, and former employees.

All employees are entitled to perform their work free from violence, regardless of location, whether on the employer’s premises or elsewhere.

In furtherance of this policy, employees have a duty to warn management or personnel representatives of any suspicious workplace activity or situations or incidents that they observe, or that they are aware of, that involve other employees, former employees, customers, or visitors and that appear problematic. This includes, for example, threats or acts of violence, aggressive behavior, offensive acts, threatening or offensive comments or remarks, and the like. Employee reports made pursuant to this policy will be held in confidence to the maximum extent possible. The Agency will not condone any form of retaliation against any employee for making a report under this policy.

Policy No.  7.81  Issued  1/1/2019  Applicable  12/13/2018