Workplace Violence

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Policy Number:
UW-5036
Old Policy Number:
13.01
Responsible Office:
Office of Human Resources

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

UW-Madison views threatening and violent behavior as disruptive and contrary to the development and maintenance of a safe, productive, and supportive work environment. This policy prohibits acts of workplace violence, including retaliation against individuals reporting workplace violence.

Definitions:
Workplace
any location (including online) where UW-Madison university business is being conducted.
Workplace violence
an act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior.
Scope:

This policy applies to all university employees with paid or unpaid appointments, including volunteers.

Policy:
  1. Prohibited Conduct
    1. Harming or threatening to harm any member or guest of the university;
    2. Damaging or threatening to damage university property or the property of any member or guest of the university;
    3. Possessing a dangerous weapon or incendiary device on university property without prior authorization;
    4. Physical or verbal harassment or intimidation, including any behavior or threat of physical behavior that would place a reasonable person in fear of physical injury or aggressive physical contact
    5. Behavior of a sexual nature will be governed by the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Policy
  2. Any person who feels they have been subject to workplace violence or has identified a situation where workplace violence has or could occur, should immediately bring it to the attention of their supervisor, manager, unit head, local human resources, or the central UW-Madison Office of Human Resources. For any emergency, always remember to contact 911 before reaching out to the offices listed above. Additional mandatory reporting may be required:
    1. If you are determined to be a Campus Security Authority as defined by the Institutional Clery Act Compliance policy.
    2. If you are determined to be a Responsible Employee as defined by the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence policy.
    3. If the incident involves child abuse and neglect as defined by the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect (Executive Order 54) policy.
  3. Employees who are found to have committed acts of workplace violence will be subject to disciplinary action under university policy up to and including termination of employment.
  4. Incidents of workplace violence may also be referred to local, state, and federal law enforcement officials.
  5. Retaliation against any person reporting an incident of workplace violence is prohibited. Any employee who engages in retaliation is in violation of this policy and may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
  6. Any student employee (both undergraduate and graduate) who is found to have committed an act or acts of workplace violence will be subject to the student disciplinary process and applicable employment policies.
Related UW-Madison Policies:

UW-146 Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence

UW-301 Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect (Executive Order 54) policy

UW-403 Institutional Clery Act Compliance

UW-706 Academic Staff Policies and Procedures: Chapter 6 – Discipline and Dismissal

UW-707 Academic Staff Policies and Procedures: Chapter 7 – Employment Problems: Informal Resolutions and Grievance Procedures

UW-708 Academic Staff Policies and Procedures: Complaints Against Academic Staff Members

UW-725 Carry of Concealed Weapons

UW-808 Faculty Policies and Procedures: Chapter 8 – Faculty Rights and Responsibilities

UW-809 Faculty Policies and Procedures: Chapter 9 – Discipline and Dismissal of Faculty for Cause

UW-5064 University Staff Grievances

UW-5067 Whistleblower Law

UW-5068 Corrective Progressive Discipline for University Staff

Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
Policy Manager:
Associate Vice Chancellor/Chief Human Resources Officer
Contact:
Employment Relations Director -- Megan Dzyuba, wr@ohr.wisc.edu, (608) 890-3663
Effective Date:
06-22-2015
Revised Dates:

04-05-2019, 12-21-2022

Retrieved:
04-19-2024 00:29:50