HOME & COMMUNITYPolicy No.: HR-7-150

SUPPORT SERVICESNew: Nov. 2010

--OF GREY-BRUCE--

Page: 1 of 2

SECTION: HUMAN RESOURCES MANUAL

TOPIC: HEALTH & SAFETY

POLICY TITLE: WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

POLICY STATEMENT

The Management of Home and Community Support Services of Grey Bruce is committed to the prevention of workplace violence and is ultimately responsible for worker health and safety. We will take whatever steps are reasonable to protect our workers from workplace violence from all sources.

Workplace Violence is defined as:

The exercise of physical force by a person against a worker, in a workplace, that causes or could cause physical injury to the worker;

An attempt to exercise physical force against a worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker; or

A statement or behaviour that is reasonable for a worker to interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against the worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker.

Some types of violence that workers could experience in the workplace include hitting, pushing, physical assault, sexual assault, stalking, criminal harassment, robbery, or threats of violence.

Sources of workplace violence against Home and Community Support Services of Grey Bruce staff can include:

Strangers or people with no ties to the workplace may commit a violent act at the workplace, such as assault, robbery, sexual assault, or hostage taking.

Clients, students, or others who have a legitimate reason to be in the workplace may become violent towards workers or with each other. A customer may threaten an employee while complaining about the service, or two non workers who are fighting may hurt a worker who is nearby.

Other workers, whether a manager, a co-worker, or a subordinate, may act violently towards a worker or may threaten physical violence

Intimate partners, family members, or friends may use violence or threats of violence against a worker. This may also be known as domestic violence or intimate partner violence and would be considered workplace violence if it were to occur in the workplace. A current or former spouse or partner or another family member may assault, criminally harass, or stalk a worker at the workplace, or close to the workplace.

Violent behaviour in the workplace is unacceptable from anyone. Everyone is expected to uphold this policy and to work together to prevent workplace violence.

There is a workplace violence plan that implements this policy. It includes measures and procedures to protect workers from workplace violence, a means of summoning immediate assistance and a process for workers to report incidents, or raise concerns.

Home and Community Support Services of Grey Bruce, as the employer, will ensure that this policy and the supporting program are implemented and maintained and that all workers and supervisory staff have the appropriate information and instruction to protect them from violence in the workplace.

Supervisors will adhere to this policy and the supporting plan. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that measures and procedures are followed by workers and that workers have the information that they need to protect themselves.

Every worker must work in compliance with this policy and the supporting program. All workers are encouraged to raise any concerns about workplace violence and to report any violent incidents or threats.

Management will investigate and deal with all incidents and complaints of workplace violence in a timely and fair manner, respecting the privacy of all concerned to the extent possible.

Date:______Date:______

Signed: ______Signed:______

Executive Director Health and Safety Representative

This policy will be reviewed annually.

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