Workplace Violence
Fayetteville State University is committed to promoting a safe and healthy campus environment that is free from violence. Violent acts, whether on-duty or off-duty, affect individual and community physical and mental well-being, employees’ ability to perform their jobs, and students’ ability to learn.
What is workplace violence?
To be considered workplace violence, behavior must be more than unprofessional behavior, annoyance, irritation or petty disagreements and must be behavior that would cause a reasonable person to have concerns for personal safety or risks of physical injury to persons, animals or University property.
Workplace violence is defined by university policy as follows:
Bullying includes unwanted offensive and malicious behavior that undermines an individual or group through persistently negative attacks. The behavior generally includes an element of vindictiveness, and is intended to undermine, patronize, humiliate, intimidate, or demean the recipient.
Cyberbullying occurs when an individual uses technology (e.g., the internet, cell phones, emails, IMs, text messages, blogs, pictures, videos, social media posts) to intentionally harm others through hostile behavior, as well as threatening, disrespectful, demeaning, or intimidating messages.
Domestic and Family Violence is the use of abusive or violent behavior, including threats and intimidation, between individuals who have an ongoing or a prior intimate relationship (including individuals who are married, live together or date, or who have been married, lived together, or dated) or between family members.
Intimidation is engaging in actions that include but are not limited to unwarranted behavior intended to frighten, coerce, or induce duress.
Physical attack is unwanted or hostile physical contact including but not limited to hitting, fighting, shoving, restraining, or throwing objects.
Property damage is intentional damage to property and includes property owned by the University or by employees, students, clients, visitors, or vendors.
Stalking involves harassing or pestering an individual in person, in writing, by telephone or by electronic format. Stalking also involves following an individual, spying on them, alarming the recipient, or causing them distress and may involve physical violence or the fear of physical violence.
Threat is the expression of intent to cause physical or mental harm. An expression constitutes a threat without regard to whether the party communicating with the threat has the present ability to carry out the threat and without regard to whether the expression is contingent, conditional, or future.
How do you report workplace violence?
All members of the University community have an obligation to help maintain a safe work environment and should immediately report any incidents of Workplace Violence. Please use the Workplace Violence Reporting Form.
Reports of workplace violence should be reported as soon as possible after the incident(s) occurs to be most effectively investigated. In an emergency, or to report violence in progress, individuals should immediately contact the Department of Police and Public Safety by calling extension 1911 (emergency line).
To report past incidents of Workplace Violence or non-urgent threats of Workplace Violence or Workplace Violence that could potentially lead to a serious incident, contact one or more of the following individuals/offices:
- the employee’s supervisor,
- the Office of Human Resources Employee Relations Officer,
- the Department of Police and Public Safety (DPPS), and/or
- the Office of Risk and Compliance.
Are there resources for people who have experienced workplace violence?
The University will endeavor to assist victims affected by Workplace Violence by offering reasonable and appropriate security measures. The University will work closely with victims to ensure that both the needs of the victims and the University are addressed. The University will offer reasonable resources to support victims of Workplace Violence. Such resources may include services offered by the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and accommodations or adjustments to a victim’s work/class schedule, location or other conditions to enhance safety.
How does the University educate the campus about the workplace violence policy?
The Office of Human Resources and the Office of Risk and Compliance are responsible for overseeing the development and delivery of training for members of the University community. Training for supervisors/managers on Workplace Violence prevention and response will be required, and training for all other employees will be highly recommended. Refresher training must be completed on a biennial basis.