Policy 5:440

Personnel

Workplace Violence

The Board of Education is committed to a safe workplace.  Accordingly, employees shall not engage in disruptive, threatening or violent behavior while in the workplace. For the purpose of this policy, the term “workplace” shall include the location of any school-related activities and/or school business occurring off school property.  All violations of this policy shall be reported in accordance with the procedures set forth below.

Disruptive, threatening or violent behavior is any behavior which interferes with normal work functions and causes others to have concerns for their safety or includes violent or potentially violent acts or threats.

Discipline

Employees who engage in disruptive, threatening or violent workplace behavior toward others will be subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal, in accordance with any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement and/or policies of the Board.  Additionally, employees may face separate criminal or civil action.

Report Procedures

Any employee who is either the victim of, a witness to, or who has reason to suspect that disruptive, threatening or violent workplace behavior will occur has a “duty to warn” the Superintendent or the employee’s supervisor.  If any person is in imminent harm or danger, the employee should report the matter to the local law enforcement agency.

Retaliation

To encourage responsible reporting of violence in the workplace, the Board will not tolerate retaliation against any person who makes a good faith report of disruptive, threatening or violent behavior.  Any person who engages in retaliation will be subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal, in accordance with any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement and/or policies of the Board.

Investigation

The Superintendent or his Designee (hereinafter “the investigator”) shall commence an investigation of all complaints concerning any alleged violation of this policy.  The Superintendent shall also take immediate action, if necessary, to prevent any further disruptive, threatening or violent behavior from occurring, including, but not limited to, contacting the local law enforcement agency. No complaint or identity of a complainant will be disclosed except when necessary to fully investigate the complaint and only after notification to the complainant.  The investigator shall file a written report of his/her findings within fourteen (14) days after the complaint has been made.  In the event the report cannot be completed within fourteen (14) days, the report shall state the reasons for the delay.  The complainant shall be notified of the findings of the investigation.

Dissemination

A copy of this Board Policy and Procedures shall be distributed to each employee on an annual basis.

Adopted: February 17, 2004