TOWN OF SARATOGA

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE POLICY

POLICY STATEMENT:

The Town of Saratoga is dedicated to the security, safety and overall well-being for all of the Town of Saratoga employees.� This Workplace Violence Policy is a direct reflection of the "Zero Tolerance" posture the Town has taken toward all forms of violence in the workplace.� Proper budgeting resources will be allocated to achieve the goal of creating and maintaining a safe and productive work environment.� The Town of Saratoga is responsible, to invest in the safety and security of the workplace so our employees are provided with the environment they need to be safe and productive.

The policy will ensure the following:

v Complete commitment from all levels of management to be implemented consistently,

fairly and without any form of reprisal to those filing complaints.

v Confidentiality will be respected as much as possible but cannot be assured in order to investigate fully and properly.

v Shared participation from non-management and management Personnel in formulation, as well as, in practice.

v Prompt and accurate action on all reported incidents.

v An open door of communication for program re-evaluation and improvement.

POLICY DEFINITION:

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) "Workplace Violence is any physical assault, threatening behavior or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting.� It includes, but is not limited to, beatings, stabbing, suicides, shootings, rapes, near suicides, psychological traumas; such as threats, obscene phone calls, an intimidating presence, and harassment of any nature; such as being followed, sworn at or shouted at.ʺ

Workplace may be any location, either permanent or temporary, where an employee performs any work-related duty.� This includes, but is not limited to, the buildings and the surrounding perimeters, including the parking lots, field locations, clients' homes, and traveling to and from work assignments."

WEAPONS POLICY:

The Town of Saratoga has a zero tolerance philosophy with regard to the possession (physical and/or constructive), of any dangerous/deadly weapon on Town premises.� This includes, but is not limited to, any firearm, knife, blunt instrument, brass knuckles, or any other object that can cause bodily injury, serious bodily injury or death.

Any violation of this policy or refusal to submit to a lawful inspection for the presence of a weapon on Town property by an employee may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

GUIDELINES:

The Town of Saratoga will formulate and maintain a Workplace Violence Prevention Policy.� When necessary, departments will have a specific written policies applicable to their particular needs or issues.

Each new employee will be required to review this Policy and Procedure and will acknowledge that he/she has done so.�

A copy of the Workplace Violence Prevention Policy will be prominently displayed in the workplace of each department.

Each employee will be required to attend a Workplace Violence training annually.

PROCEDURES:

1.� All complaints shall be made to either:

�� a.� The employee's Supervisor

�� b.� The employee's Department Head

�� c.� The Town Supervisor

2.� While complaints may initially be made either orally or in writing, it is preferred that�� complaints be reduced to writing on a complaint form provided by the Town Supervisor's office.

3.� The employee should be urged to sign the complaint form.

�4.� All complaints of workplace violence will be reported to the Town Supervisor to ensure an immediate and effective investigation.� The Town Supervisor shall determine whether the Department Head will proceed with the investigation or have the investigation completed by

�� his office.

5.� Once the investigation has been concluded, a final report must be completed and provided to the Town Supervisor so that circumstances can be critiqued.� As a result, appropriate changes then can be made to the existing Workplace Violence Prevention Policy.

TOWN OF SARATOGA COMPLAINT OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Affected Party(ies): _____________________________________________________________

Supervisor: _____________________________Department/Phone: _______________________

Incident Information:

Date of Incident: _________________Time of Incident: ________________________________

Location of Incident (be specific): __________________________________________________

Description of Incident (Narrative): _________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Has this or a similar incident ever happened to you before?�� NO�� YES

If yes, please explain: ____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

If you incurred any injury whatsoever, (physical /emotional), please describe the injury, in detail and the location of any treatment received: ___________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

List all witnesses of the incident:

Name: _______________________Department: __________________Contact Number:_____________

Was a weapon involved?� If so, specify type and to what extent:__________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Agressor Information:

Name: _______________________________Department (if employee):___________________

Supervisor/Phone Number (if employee): ____________________________________________

Relationship to aggressor (if stranger; indicate relationship, if any): _______________________

Had anything occurred in the past to make you feel that this would happen?� NO�� YES

If yes, please explain: ____________________________________________________________

Home address/vehicle information (if not employee):___________________________________

As you see it, does something need to be done to avoid such an incident from happening again?� NO�� YES

If yes, explain: _________________________________________________________________

_____________________________�� ____________________________

�� Signature/Date�� Title

I swear or affirm that I have read the above complaint and that it is true to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.

TOWN OF SARATOGA WORKPLACE VIOLENCE POLICY

I swear or affirm that I have read the foregoing Town of Saratoga Workplace Violence Policy.

Date: ______________________

Employee Name: __________________________________________

Employee Department: ______________________________________