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Workplace Violence Policy

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Harper College is committed to maintaining an environment for its students and employees which is free from violence, threats of violence, aggression, intimidation, harassment and sexual harassment of any sort from other students and employees, as well as outside parties, including visitors to the College, vendors and those having no legitimate purpose to be on the College’s campus.

To ensure a safe environment for employees and students, Harper College prohibits the wearing, transporting, storage or presence of firearms or other dangerous weapons in its facilities or on its property. Any employee or student in possession of a firearm or other weapon within Harper facilities/ property or while otherwise fulfilling job responsibilities may face disciplinary action, including termination.

To the extent allowed by law and consistent with the firearm concealed carry act, Harper College prohibits persons from carrying weapons in any of its facilities or on its property. This policy does not apply to any law enforcement personnel engaged in official duties.

Any acts of workplace violence will not be tolerated, and all reports of such incidents will be taken seriously and dealt with appropriately. Individuals who commit such acts may be removed from the premises and subject to disciplinary action, criminal penalties or both.

All members of the campus community are encouraged to report conflicts that compromise the health and effectiveness of individual employees and their worksites before they become major problems.

Procedures to implement this policy and the process for determining violations to this policy will be published in the Administrative Services Procedure Manual, in the Student Handbook and other appropriate publications.

Emergency Procedures

  • Call Harper College Police at 911 or extension 6330.

Immediate Physical Danger

  • Get out of the area and away from the immediate threat.
  • Call Harper College Police immediately after you are in a safe place.

Violence Committed

  • Call Harper College Police immediately if a person commits an act of violence against you or another person.

Intimidating Situation

  • Call Harper College Police if a person has communicated a direct or indirect threat of physical or mental harm against you in any form (i.e., oral or written statements, gestures, expressions). Call Harper College Police immediately from a location away from the person who is causing the intimidation. Be prepared to give the dispatcher all the facts, and remain on the line until the officers arrive.

Non-Emergency Procedures

If you are not in immediate physical danger, but you have experienced or witnessed harassment (also see separate Sexual Harassment policy and procedures) or intimidation:

  1. Report instances of intimidation or concerns about workplace violence to your direct supervisor.* Determine with your supervisor if the issue can be resolved at this level. *If your direct supervisor is the person with whom you are experiencing the conflict, report the incident to that person’s direct supervisor. If that person is also involved in the conflict, you may report the concern to the Workplace Violence Investigation Officer (WVIO) who is the Chief Human Resource Officer.
  2. If the conflict cannot be resolved with your direct supervisor, file a formal written complaint with the WVIO (appointed by the President). The complaint should describe the alleged violation, the person(s) against whom the complaint is being filed and dates of the action(s) as well as the remedy or relief sought (use Workplace Violence Incident Report Form).
  3. Upon receipt of the written complaint, the WVIO will review and discuss the complaint with all parties directly involved. On the basis of the written complaint and discussion(s) the WVIO will determine what further investigative action is required.
  4. After the initial discussion(s) with the complainant, the WVIO will conduct further investigation as deemed appropriate. Such investigation may include, but is not limited to:
    1. Interviewing the party(ies) alleged to have committed the act;
    2. Interviewing witnesses identified by the complaining or accused party; and
    3. Reviewing documents relevant to the complaint.
  5. As a result of the above initial steps, resolution with the parties will be explored. If resolution is not achieved, the WVIO will determine the appropriate actions to be taken.
  6. The WVIO shall prepare a confidential report with regard to the investigation. The report shall state whether or not the WVIO believes a violation of the College’s Workplace Violence policy has occurred and whether or not resolution has been achieved. The WVIO’s report shall be completed within 30 days of receipt of any complaint(s); however, such time may be extended for an additional 30 days if necessary.
  7. If resolution is not achieved, the person accused of workplace violence may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
  8. A copy of the confidential report will be sent to and maintained by the Chief Human Resource Officer of the College. The WVIO’s findings shall be sent to the complaining and accused parties.
  9. Either party may appeal, in writing, the decision of the WVIO by filing an appeal with the President within five calendar days of receipt of the decision. The President shall respond within 30 calendar days of receipt of the appeal.
  10. All reports of concerns made under this policy are confidential. The confidential records will be kept in the office of the WVIO. Supervisors, the WVIO and other necessary administrators are directed to limit disclosure of information to only those persons who, in their discretion, are required to be made aware of a complaint made under this policy. Investigations under this policy are to be made with the least amount of disclosure needed to effectively carry out the investigation. Further, the final report of the WVIO and all discussions concerning a resolution of a complaint will be kept confidential and released to only those persons who are required to have knowledge. Those making a report of misconduct under this Policy, those interviewed in an investigation under this Policy and those who are the subject of a report under this Policy are requested to limit their disclosure of information to their supervisor, the WVIO, and/or other necessary persons.

The Workplace Violence Complaint Procedure will be evaluated each year by the Chief Human Resource Officer. Recommendations for changes in this procedure
will be brought to the Human Resources Committee.

Last Updated: 4/3/24