Section 22-B9004. WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

 

9004.1Policy: The PBC is committed to provide a workplace free of recognized hazards which are likely to cause physical harm to employees. As such, the PBC shall take steps to identify and prevent violence in the workplace.

 

9004.2Workplace violence is defined as any coercive behavior occurring in the work setting, such as physical violence, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse. This includes but is not limited to intimidation, threats, destruction of property, assaults, fighting, or rape.

 

9004.3The PBC shall not tolerate violence of any kind. To prevent workplace violence the PBC shall follow these applicable procedures:

 

(a)Conduct appropriate background checks on new hires to screen out potential problem employees;

 

(b)Treat employees with dignity and respect;

 

(c)Conduct termination with empathy and compassion, focusing on the behavior or issues as opposed to the person, and providing outplacement assistance as appropriate;

 

(d)Provide training on identifying, controlling, and defusing aggressive behavior;

 

(e)Develop a crisis management team trained to respond to potentially violent situations; and

 

(f)Provide access to an Employee Assistance Program.

 

9004.4Procedures which apply are as follows:

 

(a)Employees who engage in violent behavior shall be subject to severe disciplinary action, up to and including discharge; and

 

(b)Employees who observe or are subject to workplace violence must immediately report such activity to their manager, the Security Department, and Human Resources so that an investigation may take place. No employee shall be penalized in any manner or face any kind of retaliation for the good faith submission of a complaint alleging workplace violence or for assisting in providing information relevant to any reported violent incident.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 45 DCR 7353, 7415 (October 9, 1998).