Violence in the Workplace Prevention Policy

[concealed carry allowed]

Zero tolerance

It is the Company’s policy to provide a workplace that is safe and free from all threatening, intimidating, and violent conduct. Therefore, the Company has a policy of zero tolerance for violenceor threats of violence of any form. If you engage in any violence, or threaten any violence in the workplace, while performing work for the Company even if off-premises,at work-related functions, or outside of work if it affects the workplace, your employment will be terminated. No talk of violence or joking about violence will be tolerated.

“Violence” includes physically harming another, shoving, pushing, harassing, intimidating, coercing, brandishing weapons, and threatening or talking of engaging in those activities.

This policy applies to Company employees, clients, customers, visitors, vendors, and persons doing business with company. It is the intent of this policy to ensure that no individual associated with this businessfeels threatened by any employee’s actions or conduct.

Specific Conduct Prohibited

Specifically, it will be a violation of this policy for any individual to engage in any conduct, verbal or physical, which intimidates, endangers, or creates the perception of intent to harm persons or property. Examples include but are not limited to:

Physical assaults or threats of physical assault, whether made in person or by other means (i.e., in writing, by phone, fax, or e-mail).
Verbal conduct that is intimidating and has the purpose or effect of threatening the health or safety of a co-worker.
Possession of any weapon (described more fully below) on Company property, while performing work for the Company even if off-premises, in a Company-owned vehicle, or at a work-related function that is not concealed.
Possession of a concealed weapon (described more fully below) without a license.
Any other conduct or acts which management believes represents an imminent or potential danger to work place safety/security.

Workplace security measures

In an effort to fulfill this commitment to a safe work environment for employees, customers, and visitors, a few simple rules have been created. These are:

Access to the company’s property is limited to those with a legitimate business interest.
All employees entering the property must display company identification.
All visitors and visitor vehicles must register and display identification while on the property.

Carrying of Weapons

The Company does not prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons by any employee who has a license to do so while on Company property. Any employee who carries a concealed weapon in the workplace must notify the Human Resources Department and must show the Human Resources Department his or her license to carry the concealed weapon. Any employee who carries a concealed weapon in the workplace must keep the weapon within his or her possession at all times. Employees are not allowed to leave such weapons unattended, for example in a desk drawer, and are not allowed to give the weapon to any other individual. While individuals who have a license to carry a concealed weapon are allowed to keep such a weapon in their personal vehicles, the weapons must be kept in a locked and secure location in the vehicle.

Weapons allowed to be carried concealed include handguns, knives, electric weapons, and billy clubs. Weapons that are prohibited include any other type of gun besides a handgun, explosives, and other items with the potential to inflict harm. No weapon is allowed to be carried if not concealed. Appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination, will be taken against any employee who violates this policy.

No employee is allowed to carry any weapon in the workplace or on Company business while drinking alcohol, while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while taking any medication that may impair an employee’s motor skills or judgment.

Inspections

Desks, telephones, lockers, and computers are the property of the business. We reserve the right to enter or inspect your work area including, but not limited to, desks and computer storage disks, with or without notice.

The fax, copier, and mail systems, including e-mail, are intended for business use. Personal business should not be conducted through these systems. Under conditions approved by management, telephone conversations may be monitored and voice mail messages may be retrieved in the process of monitoring customer service.

Any conversations overheard during such monitoring, or messages retrieved, even if personal, that constitute threats against other individuals can and will be used as the basis for termination. Employees do not have an expectation of privacy in the use of any Company communication system.

Reporting violence

It is everyone's business to prevent violence in the workplace. You can help by reporting what you see in the workplace that could indicate that a co-worker is in trouble or is posing a threat. You are in a better position than management to know what is happening with those you work with.

You are encouraged to report any incident that may involve a violation of any of the Company’s policies that are designed to provide a violence-free workplace environment. Concerns may be presented to your supervisor.

The Company will promptly and thoroughly investigate any reported occurrences or threats of violence. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination of employees. Where such actions involve non-employees, the Company will take action appropriate for the circumstances. Where appropriate and/or necessary, the Company will also take whatever legal actions are available and necessary to stop the conduct and protect the Company’s employees and property.

If you or someone you know if the victim of domestic abuse, we encourage you to report such circumstances to the Human Resources department. Such reports will be kept confidential, and the Company will take steps to assist you in trying to prevent such abuse at the office.

This sample policy is provided to you by Mawicke & Goisman, S.C. and HNI.

This sample policy is for illustrative purposes only.

Employers may use this policy as a starting point for creating a policy that reflects their organization’s practices.

This sample is not meant to be provided as legal advice.