The university requires that you report threats and acts of violence and encourages reporting concerning behaviors. Reporting helps to ensure that the university’s Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) has the information necessary to do its job. BIT seeks to identify and reduce potential threats before they result in harm.
Prevention Means
- Encouraging bystanders to say something when they see someone behaving in a way that is inconsistent with our community of trust.
- Learning how to engage in healthy relationships and recognizing the signs of an unhealthy relationship.
- Getting regular wellness checks to promote physical and mental health.
- Learning how to find balance in your life and creating living and working environments that are healthy and free from violence.
- Learning strategies to lower your risk for unwanted outcomes when choosing to drink alcohol.
- Seeking help if you are worried about someone or seeking help for yourself if you are having any sort of difficulty.
- Creating an environment where people feel comfortable asking for help and supported when they do.
- Avoid use of illegal substances or medications not prescribed for you.
Everyone's Responsibilities
Be Aware!
- Of your co-workers, friends, students, peers.
- Of the types of violence, of the warning signs and of the resources available.
- Of the laws, regulations, policies, of what is a workplace violence issue and what is not.
- Of how you report a threat or concerning behaviors.
- Of how you refer an employee or student for help.
- Of your surroundings, exits and hall/office/class routines.
Supervisor's Responsibilities
- Take all complaints and concerns seriously.
- Not retaliate on someone who reports a threat or concerning behavior.
- Understand and follow the workplace violence and threat reporting policies.
- Explain the policies to employees.
- As appropriate, talk with a supervisor, talk with Human Resources, notify the Police.
- Realize that every complaint is not necessarily a workplace violence issue; issues can also be related to performance, lack of training or disruption of work flow.
- Apply progressive discipline using the appropriate discipline policy (Standards of Conduct, Professional Handbook or Faculty Handbook).
- Remember the goal is to return the person to a productive level.