What are warning signs of workplace violence?

Resources

UCI Police Department: Workplace Violence Prevention UCI Consultation Team (Crisis Management)

ANSWER

UC Mission Statement regarding workplace violence:

UCI is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. Incidents of workplace violence cannot be ignored. Their magnitude and increasing frequency should be sufficient warnings to employees and employers alike. No one is immune from this calamity.

Early Warning Signals of Workplace Violence

  • Direct or veiled verbal threats of harm.
  • Intimidation of others by words or actions.
  • Carrying a concealed weapon or flashing a weapon to test reactions.
  • Hypersensitivity or extreme suspiciousness.
  • Extreme moral righteousness.
  • Unable to take criticism of job performance.
  • Holds a grudge, especially against a supervisor.
  • Often verbalizes hope for something to happen to the person against whom the employee has the grudge.
  • Expression of extreme desperation over recent problems.
  • History of violent behavior.
  • Extreme interest in weapons and their destructive power to people.
  • Fascination with incidents of workplace violence and approval of the use of violence under similar circumstances.
  • Intentional disregard for the safety of others.
  • Destruction of property.

How to Report Workplace Violence

  • All UCI employees are required to report immediately to their supervisor, the Police, or to Human Resources any acts or threats of violence occurring at UCI. No employee will be retaliated against for reporting any threats or acts of violence.
  • All urgent and/or potentially dangerous threats or acts of violence must immediately be reported to the UCI Police (949) 824-5223 or in an emergency, 911.
  • All non-urgent threats should be reported to the supervisor who will then consult with the appropriate Consultation Team Member.
  • Acts or threats of violence will be investigated by the UCI Police and/or Human Resources in a timely manner. Human Resources, in conjunction with Consultation Team will recommend a plan of action, with regard to the employee(s) in question.

SUPERVISOR ACTION REQUIRED

When incidents are reported to supervisors, it is critical that incident details are properly recorded. When an employee reports an incident to you, record what they witnessed. Be sure to record:

  • Who - Who was the perpetrator of the incident and who else was present as a witness to the incident?
  • What - What exactly happened? The "what" of a report includes all of the facts and may also include your assessment of those facts.
  • When - When did the incident occur? If there were smaller events leading up to the main incident, when did those events occur?
  • Where - Where did this incident happen?

 

Consult with UCI Police Department for further assistance and guidance.

Common Workplace Emergency Questions

Definitions

Workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve students, staff, faculty, clients, customers and visitors.