OF
RECORD
Dear
Penn Faculty, Students, and Staff:
Workplace
violence is of concern to employers and employees, in both
the public and private sectors, nationwide. At Penn,
we work hard to ensure that we maintain a safe and secure
environment in which to live, work, and study. The University
is committed to continuing this effort by adopting the
University of Pennsylvania Policy Prohibiting Workplace
Violence. This policy applies to all University employees,
including faculty, staff, temporary, occasional employees,
and student workers, as well as consultants and sub-contractors.
The policy, we believe, will serve to educate the community
as to the meaning of workplace violence, provide information
about where and how to report any such acts, and to explain
how to access assistance and support. The policy also outlines
the sanctions that may be imposed upon persons who disrupt
the safety and security of their co-workers and other members
of the University community.
We
encourage all members of our community to treat colleagues
and co-workers with civility and respect. By promulgating
this policy, we hope to increase our community's understanding
of this issue and to provide information on how to handle
any incidents that may arise.
--Judith
Rodin, President --Robert
L. Barchi, Provost
University
of Pennsylvania
Policy
Prohibiting Workplace Violence
Our Commitment
to Maintain a Safe Environment
The
University is committed to maintaining an environment that
supports the University's mission and promotes learning,
productive employment, and safe experiences for all members
of the University community including but not limited to
faculty, staff, students, contracted employees, visitors
and guests of the University.
Scope
This
policy applies to all University employees including faculty,
staff, temporary and occasional employees and student workers
(with respect to conduct that arises from their employment
status). In addition, the policy applies to individuals
who the University contracts to do work on our behalf including,
consultants, vendors, contractors and sub-contractors. University
employees and those working on the behalf of the University
are covered by this policy at all times, on or off-campus,
when they are officially representing or acting on behalf
of the University, conducting University business and/or
attending University sponsored or financed activities.
This policy covers activity at all University owned and
operated properties and facilities and off-campus locations
where University business is conducted.
Definition
of Workplace Violence
Workplace
violence is defined as any violent behavior or threat of
violent behavior that would cause harm or reasonable fear
of physical harm to a University employee, other member
or guest of the University community, or anyone with whom
the University is conducting business. Behaviors or conduct
that are not tolerated include the following:
Reporting
Maintaining
a safe and secure environment is a shared responsibility. All
University employees are strongly encouraged to report
any work-related or University connected behavior that
they regard as threatening or violent (in accordance with
the above definition) to at least one of the University
resources listed below.
All
emergency situations should be immediately reported to
Penn Police by calling 511 (from a campus phone) or (215)
573-3333 (from an off-campus phone) or picking up one of
the blue light phones located throughout campus.
Individuals
who apply for and/or obtain Protection From Abuse (PFA)
orders are encouraged to provide their supervisors and
the Penn Police with copies of the temporary or permanent
order.
Employees
should report workplace violence, as defined above, to
their supervisor, manager, department chair or Dean, whoever
is deemed to be appropriate in the respective supervisory
chain of command. Such reports can also be made, as appropriate,
to Penn Police, the Division of Human Resources/Staff and
Labor Relations, the Division of Public Safety/Special
Services Department, the Office of Student Conduct, and/or
the Office of the Deputy Provost.
A University
official who receives a report of workplace violence should
take the matter seriously and first take prompt steps to
ensure the safety of the parties and/or University property
involved. Reports of workplace violence must be investigated
appropriately. Supervisors and managers should consult
with the Division of Human Resources, Penn Police, the
Division of Public Safety/Special Services Department,
and/or any of the other investigatory/fact-finding resources
mentioned herein, to receive assistance in investigating
reports of workplace violence. Where faculty members are
concerned, Deans and Chairs should consult with the Office
of the Deputy Provost on the appropriate procedures to
follow as outlined in the Handbook for Faculty and Academic
Administrators. Workplace violence complaints against
student workers should be referred to the Office of Student
Conduct, the Office of the Provost, or their respective
school office responsible for student conduct and discipline.
Non-Retaliation
Retaliatory
action is prohibited against any persons who report, respond
to, participate in an investigation of, are victims of,
or use University resources to address workplace violence.
Persons found responsible for retaliatory actions will
be subject to disciplinary actions up to and including
termination of employment and/or student status.
Sanctions
Once
the investigation, fact-finding or hearing is completed
and recommended actions for redress are finalized, the
University will take the appropriate steps to address the
offensive behavior and restore and maintain safety in the
community. Employees who violate the Policy Prohibiting
Workplace Violence may be subject to disciplinary action
up to and including, termination of employment and/or student
status. Employees may also be subject to criminal prosecution.
Where
appropriate, persons who have violated the Policy Prohibiting
Workplace Violence may be required to undertake educational
or training courses and/or perform community service to
assist in correcting the offensive behavior.
University
Resources
The
University offers employees a variety of resources to address
workplace violence. These resources provide services ranging
from conducting investigations/fact-finding processes,
providing security services, training, and counseling,
to making referrals and mediating lower level conflicts.
The following descriptions outline the University resources
provided to address conflicts.
Counseling--Personal
and psychological counseling services are offered for individuals
or groups.
Conflict
Resolution--Facilitation, mediation, and consultation
services are available to assist individuals and groups
to proactively resolve workplace issues and concerns.
Criminal
Complaints--The Penn Police process and investigate
reports of criminal incidents.
Crisis
Management--These resources assist work groups/teams
who have experienced a traumatic event or crisis situation,
process and acknowledge their reactions, and identify
strategies to cope with the aftermath of such incidents.
The major goal is to help the affected group restore
their productive work environment.
Education/Training--Training
and educational programs are available to the Penn community
on various aspects of campus safety and security, crime
prevention and/or workplace violence.
Investigatory--These
resources are charged with the responsibility of investigating,
conducting fact-finding processes, hearings, or just cause
proceedings regarding allegations of employee and/or student
misconduct, including allegations of workplace violence.
Referrals--Some
resources will help affected employees identify appropriate
University and external resources to assist them with workplace
and/or personal concerns.
Security Services--Walking and riding escort services are available
to members of the Penn community.