2024 6190
Personnel
SUBJECT: WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION POLICY STATEMENT
Overview
The District is committed to the safety and security of its employees. Workplace violence presents a serious occupational safety hazard. The goal of this policy is to promote the safety and well-being of all people in the workplace.
Acts of violence against any employee where any work-related duty is performed will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action will be taken, including involving law enforcement authorities when warranted. All employees are responsible for: helping to create an environment of mutual respect for each other, as well as students, parents, and other visitors; following all applicable documents; and for assisting in maintaining a safe and secure work environment.
This policy was developed in consultation with the authorized employee representative(s) and is designed to meet the requirements of New York State Labor Law.
What is Workplace Violence
Workplace violence is any physical assault or acts of aggressive behavior occurring where an employee performs any work-related duty in the course of their employment including, but not limited to:
- An attempt or threat, whether verbal or physical, to inflict physical injury upon an employee;
- Any intentional display of force which would give an employee reason to fear or expect bodily harm;
- Intentional and wrongful physical contact with an employee without their consent that entails some injury;
- Stalking an employee with the intent of causing fear of material harm to the physical safety and health of the employee when the stalking has arisen through and in the course of employment.
Workplace violence may be committed by:
- Other employees;
- Former employees;
- Students;
- Parents;
- Visitors;
- Individuals who have no connection to the workplace, but enter to commit a robbery or other crime; or
- An individual who has a personal relationship with an employee.
Prohibited Conduct
The District prohibits workplace violence and will not tolerate violence, threats of violence, or intimidating conduct in the workplace.
Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Committee
The District will establish a Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Committee that will meet periodically throughout the year. The purpose of the Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Committee is to assist the District in coordinating its efforts to comply with its responsibilities related to workplace violence prevention, including overseeing the development and maintenance of the District’s Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP).
The Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Committee will include:
- The Workplace Violence Prevention Coordinator;
- All authorized employee representatives;
- The Chief Emergency Officer.
It may also include one or more representatives from the following groups:
- District-wide school safety team;
- The building level emergency response team(s);
- District/building administrators;
- Teachers, including at least one special education teacher; and
- Other District staff.
Workplace Violence Prevention Coordinator
The District has designated the following District employee to serve as its Workplace Violence Prevention Coordinator:
Executive Director of Human Resources, Data and School Counseling
845-744-2031, ext. 3508
The Workplace Violence Prevention Coordinator convenes and coordinates the activities and plans of the Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Committee. The Workplace Violence Prevention Coordinator is also responsible for answering employee questions about this policy and related materials, as well as receiving workplace violence incident reports.
Authorized Employee Representatives
Authorized employee representatives will participate on the Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Committee. Other responsibilities of the authorized employee representatives include, but are not limited to:
- Participating in the development and implementation of this policy.
- Evaluating the physical environment.
- Developing the WVPP.
- Reviewing workplace violence incident reports at least annually to identify trends in the types of incidents reported, if any.
- Reviewing the effectiveness of the mitigating actions taken.
- Reporting violations of the District’s WVPP.
Reporting Workplace Violence
All employees and authorized employee representatives are responsible for providing written notice to a supervisor or Workplace Violence Prevention Coordinator of any violent incidents, threatening behavior, including threats they have witnessed, received, or have been told that another person has witnessed or received. Reports of workplace violence must be made in writing. All reports must be immediately forwarded to the Workplace Violence Prevention Coordinator.
Written notice is not required where imminent danger exists to the safety of a specific employee and the employee reasonably believes in good faith that reporting to a supervisor or the Workplace Violence Prevention Coordinator would not result in corrective action.
After the District receives notice, the District will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to correct the activity, policy, or practice. The District will immediately respond to all reported incidents of violence or threatening behavior upon notification.
In addition to complying with the reporting requirements in this policy, District employees must comply with all other applicable reporting requirements contained in any District policy, regulation, procedure, collective bargaining agreement, or other document such as the District’s Code of Conduct.
Workplace Risk Evaluation and Developing a Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVVP)
The District will engage in a process of workplace evaluation designed to identify the risks of workplace violence to which employees could be exposed.
The District will then develop and implement a written WVPP to prevent, minimize, and respond to any workplace violence.
Prohibition of Retaliatory Behavior (Commonly Known as “Whistle-Blower” Protection)
The District will not take retaliatory action against any employee because the employee exercises any right accorded to them under this policy.
Training
At the time of hire and annually thereafter, all employees will participate in the District’s workplace violence prevention training program.
Notification
This policy will be posted where notices to employees are typically posted. The District will make its WVPP available to employees, authorizes employee representatives, and the Commissioner of Labor upon request and in the work area.
Whenever significant changes are made to the WVPP, the District will provide relevant information to affected employees.
- Labor Law Section 27-b
- 12 NYCRR Section 800.6
NOTE: Refer also to Policies:
- #3410 — Code of Conduct
- #3411 — Prohibition of Weapons on School Grounds
- #3412 — Threats of Violence in School
- #3420 — Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment in the District
- #3421 — Title IX and Sex Discrimination
- #5681 — School Safety Plans
- #5684 — Use of Surveillance Cameras in the District on School Buses
- #5690 — Exposure Control Program
- #6121 — Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
- #6122 — Employee Grievances
- #7350 — Use of Timeout and Physical Restraint
- #7360 — Weapons in School and the Gun-Free Schools Act
Adopted: 2/6/ 24