Department
of Public Safety
University of Massachusetts Boston
Workplace Violence Management
First and foremost, reduce the possibility of threats or acts of violence by using the following suggestions:
- Treat all co-workers, community members and the general public with respect and civility
- Listen carefully and thoroughly before speaking
- Acknowledge the other parties distress
- Project understanding, care, commitment, 65% OF YOUR MESSAGE IS COMMUNICATED BY THE TONE OF YOUR VOICE!
- If you become upset or angry, remove yourself from the situation and find a supervisor or co-worker to assist you.
If an actual or potentially violent situation occurs:
Remain Calm
- A violent or threatening person is more likely to de-escalate if someone approaches him or her calmly and confidently, without anger or defensiveness. DO NOT TOUCH THE PERSON
- Never challenge or bargain with a threatening person. Do not make promises you can not keep
- Do not attempt to disarm or restrain
- As you attempt to communication with others, keep your comments direct, factual, and concise. There will be time later to discuss the details.
Call "911", you will reach the University Police Department
- If you believe using the phone will escalate the situation, ask a co-worker to call using some prearranged signal. that you worked out for your office area. This signal should alert your co-worker to quietly call the University Police and notified them of the situation.
- If the aggressor is not in the immediate area, give direct, concise information about the situation.
- Name
- Location
- Type of Incident
- Weapons
- If the "911" call is made in the presence of the aggressor, you do not have to give the details to the University Police. The internal telephone system are identified on a caller ID system and the call is recorded. If it is possible for you to answer questions without jeopardizing your safety, do so to clarify the situation.
- If you are working alone or after hours, you may find your options for staff assistance to be limited, be prepared to call "911" directly.
- Whenever working during off business hours, keep your office doors locked and whenever possible do not work alone.
Clear the affected area
- If you are working with someone and notice threatening or violent behavior in the area, quietly and calmly exit the area with the other party to a place of safety.
- Other community members who are aware of the situation should attempt to prevent others from entering the area of potential or actual concern.
- If you are asked to leave by people responsible for the area or the University Police, DO SO IMMEDIATELY. There will be time later to learn the details.
- Wait for the all clear notice before returning to the affect area. This will be given either by the University Police or a designated coordinator or supervisor
Information gathering and/or debriefing will occur
After the safety of the area or workplace has been restored. community members affected by the situation may be asked to provide information to the University Police for report/investigative purposes. You may be asked to provide a witness statement.
When all the facts are known and the parties involved have had a chance to collect themselves, debriefing/information dissemination may occur. Defending on the event and the severity of the situation, the University Police in consultation with others, will determine the most appropriate means and timing for the communication about the situation.
UMass
Boston, member of the Massachusetts Campus Watch
Wednesday, August 15, 2007 10:36
