[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Alden 8-17-2009 (Ch. 19F of the 1981 Code).
Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
It is the policy of the Town of Alden to ensure a safe workplace
and to reduce the risk of violence to our employees and citizens.
It is a shared obligation of all employees and citizens, individually
and collectively, to prevent and/or defuse actual or implied violent
behavior (verbal or physical) at work.
B.
Any person who engages in a violent or threatening manner, either
verbal or physical in nature, will be removed from the premises as
quickly as safety permits.
C.
At the Town's discretion, employees and/or the public may be
barred from the Town's premises pending the outcome of an investigation.
Any employee who engages in such behavior may be subject to disciplinary
action up to and including termination, criminal penalties, or both.
Violent behavior on the job includes, but is not limited to:
A.
Causing or attempting to cause physical injury to another person;
B.
Intentional destruction or threat of destruction of Town property
or another person's personal property;
C.
Expressing intent to cause physical harm or emotional duress;
D.
Acting in a hostile manner through unwelcome words, actions or physical
contact not resulting in physical harm to another person;
E.
Surveillance or stalking;
F.
Possession of a weapon while on Town property or while on Town business
without proper authorization;
G.
Veiled threats of physical violence;
H.
Expression of suicidal or homicidal intent or thoughts; and
I.
Unusual agitation or excitement, which may be accompanied by incoherent
and/or irrational behavior or harassment.
A.
Law enforcement officials will be notified as soon as possible of
any situation that has the potential for immediate danger to the safety
of an employee or any other person.
B.
All employees are responsible to inform their department head, and
to file the attached Workplace Violence Incident Report,[1] of any condition or behavior that the employee experiences
or witnesses and believes places the employee and/or others at risk
of injury. Such actions may include, but are not limited to:
(1)
Causing or attempting to cause physical injury to another person;
(2)
Possession of a weapon while on Town property or while on Town business
without proper authorization;
(3)
Expressing an intent to cause immediate physical harm; and
(4)
Intentional destruction or threat of immediate destruction of Town
property or another person's personal property.
[1]
Editor's Note: A copy of the Workplace Violence Incident
Report is on file in the Town offices.
D.
The Town Supervisor will assure that a full investigation is made
and will assist the department head in resolving the issue.
E.
Reports should be made regardless of whether the potentially dangerous
person is a coworker or a nonemployee. Reports of incidents warranting
confidentiality will be handled appropriately, and information will
be disclosed to others on a need-to-know basis.
F.
This policy does not prevent employees from directly notifying law
enforcement officials of the problems.
A.
Emergency situations. It is recommended that employees who are confronted
by or who encounter an armed or dangerous person not attempt to challenge
or disarm the individual; the employee should use his/her best judgment
under the circumstances to avoid injury to him/her or others. If the
employee is able to safely contact the police or emergency assistance,
then the employee should do so immediately or as soon as possible.
B.
Enforcement. Threats, threatening conduct or any other acts of aggression
or violence in the workplace will not be tolerated. Any employee determined
to have committed such acts will be subject to disciplinary action,
up to and including termination. Reports to law enforcement officials
will be made, as appropriate. Nonemployees engaged in violent acts
in or affecting the workplace will also be reported to the proper
authorities. The Town will fully cooperate with law enforcement authorities
during any investigation.
C.
Eligibility for rehire. Employees terminated for violating a provision
of this policy shall not be eligible for rehire with the Town in any
capacity.