Binghamton University Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention

Policy and Program

Section I - Policy
Policy Statement

The State University of New York at Binghamton is committed to creating and maintaining a working and learning environment where violence or threats directed toward any member of or visitors to the University community are not tolerated. The University is supportive of a proactive stance regarding the elimination of workplace violence.

The University prohibits violent acts and threats of violence. Students, employees and visitors to the campus who commit or threaten to commit acts of violence are subject to disciplinary action and/or civil or criminal prosecution as appropriate. For purposes of this policy, violence and threats of violence include, but are not limited to: any physical assault, any physical or verbal threat, or behavior or action which is interpreted by a reasonable person to carry the potential:

• To harm or endanger the safety of others
• To result in an act of aggression
• To willfully destroy or damage property

Section II: Workplace Violence Prevention Program

Pursuant to the University’s commitment to zero tolerance of workplace violence, the University adopts the following as its Workplace Violence Prevention Program:

Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Committee

A. The University has established the Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Committee. The Committee will be co-chaired by representatives from Human Resources and Emergency Services, and will report to the Vice President for Operations. The Committee, as part of its charge, will participate in conducting a physical risk assessment evaluation of the Campus. On or about July 1st of each year, the Committee will also review the annual summary of incidents of workplace violence for the previous year, and make recommendations as appropriate. The Committee will also annually review the on-line Workplace Violence Prevention training module and make recommendations as appropriate. The campus will be evaluating the roles of this Committee, prescribed in this policy, with those of the existing Personal Safety Advisory Committee, whose role was previously established by the SUNY Board of Trustees.

B. The Committee includes representatives from all vice presidential areas including University Police, Office of Human Resources, Environmental Health and Safety, Student Affairs, Research, External Affairs, Ombudsman, all bargaining units and others as deemed appropriate by the President to sit on the Committee.

Risk Assessment Evaluation Process

1. On an annual basis the University will distribute a survey to all faculty and staff inquiring about potential risk factors in the workplace and soliciting their involvement in the annual process.
2. Prior to the actual physical work site risk assessment process beginning, a second survey is distributed to all deans, directors and department heads in preparation for the team visit to the actual worksite.
3. Annual surveys to collect worksite information are sent to department heads on campus. Site visits are then determined by the response to the survey. Team members meet with the dean, director, department head or designee, and encourage them to have interested employees participate in the site visit. During the site visit, teams review the survey results, walk the actual work site with the department designee and solicit information on additional concerns related to workplace safety.
4. A small committee, comprised of representatives from Human Resources and University Police, reviews all the workplace site assessments to determine high risk occupations / risk factors on the campus.
5. The Workplace Violence Advisory Committee will then review a spreadsheet which contains information on every department, high risk factors in those departments, and additional information which should be considered. The Committee will then draft a report with recommendations on appropriate work practice control measures. Secondary site visits by an experienced safety team will also be conducted for high risk areas as appropriate.
6. The Workplace Violence Advisory Committee report will be submitted to Senior Staff for review, approval and further action.

High Risk Occupations / Risk Factors on the Campus

The University, through the Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Committee, has identified the following occupations on the Campus as potentially high risk for workplace violence:

1. Offices which handle the exchange of money, including cash, checks and credit card receipts;
2. Offices which handle issues which are stressful to students, such as the Health and Counseling Services, Academic Department Offices, Office of Student Records, Student Accounts, Office of Residential Life, Academic Advising Offices, Services for Students with Disabilities, Dean’s Offices, Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DDEI), Office of the Ombudsman, Union Offices, VARC (Violence and Rape Resource Center),  Office of Student Conduct and Parking Services;
3. Offices which handle issues which are stressful to faculty and staff, such as the Office of Human Resources, EAP, Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DDEI), Office of the Ombudsman, Parking Services and Admissions;
4. Working alone or in small groups; 
5. Working late at night or early in the morning; and
6. Working at remote campus properties, Binghamton Tennis Center, the Gannett/Library Annex, and Koffman Incubator.

Reporting Process / Procedures

Incidents of violence, threats of violence, or observations of violence in the University community are not to be ignored by any member of the University community. Workplace violence should promptly be reported to the appropriate University official (see below). Additionally, all members of the University community are encouraged to report behavior they reasonably believe poses a potential for workplace violence in order to maintain a safe working and learning environment.

1. Any person experiencing or witnessing imminent danger or personal injury or violence involving weapons or actual violence should call the University Police immediately:
   • Campus telephone: 911
   • Cell phone or off campus telephone: 607-777-2393
   • Blue light telephones located on campus: Dialed automatically/pick up receiver
2. Employees should then notify his/her supervisor as well.
3. This policy and program applies to Binghamton University Foundation and Research Foundation employees as well. In instances involving these groups of employees, please substitute the Research Foundation Human Resources office rather than the Binghamton University Human Resources office.
4. Employees are expected and strongly encouraged to report any threat or act of violence that they have witnessed, received, or have been informed of, to University Police and his or her supervisor.
5. Every threat should be reported to best maintain safety for the entire campus community.
6. Any individual who makes a threat, exhibits threatening behavior or engages in violent acts on University property may be subject to removal from the premises as quickly as safety permits.
   
   Other Contacts:

• Counseling Center 607-777-2772
• Dean of Students’ Office 607-777-2804
• Employee Assistance Program 607-777-6655
• Human Resources 607-777-2187
• Office of Student Conduct 607-777-6210
• University Ombudsman 607-777-2388

Employees

1. All employees are responsible for helping to maintain a safe work and educational environment and are urged to take reasonable precautions to prevent violence and other unsafe conditions in the workplace and report indicators of increased risk of violent behavior including, but not limited to, the following indicators:
   1. Direct or veiled threats of harm;
   2. Intimidating, belligerent, harassing, bullying, stalking or other inappropriate and aggressive behavior;
   3. Numerous conflicts with supervisors and other employees;
   4. Bringing a weapon to the workplace, brandishing a weapon in the workplace, making inappropriate references to guns or fascination with weapons;
   5. Statements showing fascination with incidents of workplace violence, statements indicating approval of the use of violence to resolve a problem, or statements indicating identification with perpetrators of workplace homicides;
   6. Statements indicating desperation (over family, financial and other personal problems) to the point of contemplating suicide or intimating a possibility of pending violence;
   7. Drug/alcohol abuse; and
   8. Extreme changes in behavior.

Below are some precautions which should be taken:

1.  In response to telephone inquiries, do not release information about coworkers’ schedules, home telephone numbers or other personal information.
2. In the event of suspicious conduct, request the credentials of any stranger who enters your office to do repairs or other service work. If necessary, verify the work request with the building administrator.
3. Never leave money, credit card, travel documents or anything else of value in an unlocked desk or cabinet.
4. If something is stolen, report it immediately to University Police.
5. Employees are expected to notify University Police whenever an order of protection is granted which mentions the University property, or involves a University employee, or a person working at or attending the University, and provide a copy of the order. Appropriate efforts will be made to protect the privacy and sensitivity of the information provided. Employees should also notify their supervisor.
6. Victims of domestic violence who believe the violence may extend into the University community, students or employees who believe that domestic or other personal matters may result in their being subject to violence extending into the workplace, are encouraged to notify their supervisor, or the University Police. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.
7. All employees should report any incidents of violence and/or inappropriate conduct or behavior to University Police and their supervisor immediately.
8. Any employee or representative of employees who believes that a serious violation of a workplace violence protection program exists or that an imminent danger exists shall bring such matter to the attention of University Police, the Office of Human Resources and/or the Division of Student Affairs (if applicable).

Students

1. All students are responsible for helping to maintain a safe work and educational environment and are urged to take reasonable precautions to prevent violence and other unsafe conditions on campus.
2. Students are expected to notify University Police whenever an order of protection is granted which mentions University property, or involves a University employee, or a person working at or attending the University, and provide a copy of the order. Appropriate efforts will be made to protect the privacy and sensitivity of the information provided.
3. Victims of domestic violence who believe the violence may extend into the University community, students or employees who believe that domestic or other personal matters may result in their being subject to violence extending into the campus community are encouraged to notify the University Police. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.
4. All students should report any incidents of violence and/or inappropriate conduct or behavior to University Police.
5. Any student who believes that a serious violation of this Policy and Program exists or that an imminent danger exists shall bring such matter to the attention of University Police, or the Office of Student Affairs. Following a written notice, the offices shall coordinate an investigation, and resolution.
6. Students shall adhere to this Policy and Program, and the rules set forth in the Code of Student Conduct.

Supervisors

1. Each dean, director, department chairperson, executive officer, administrator or other person with supervisory responsibility (hereinafter “supervisor”) is responsible within his/her area of jurisdiction for the implementation of this policy.
2. Supervisors are required to ask employees to familiarize themselves with this policy and are expected to model and establish boundaries of acceptable behavior. They should consult with Human Resources (607-777-2187) or Research Foundation Human Resources (607-777-4264), University Ombudsman (607-777-2388), Employee Assistance Program (607-777-6655) or other appropriate departments for guidance regarding any problematic employee behavior. In an emergency, they should contact University Police (607-777-2393).
3. Supervisors are required to contact University Police immediately in the event of imminent or actual violence involving weapons or potential physical injuries.
4. Supervisors must report to University Police any complaint of workplace violence made to him/her and any other incidents of workplace violence of which he/she becomes aware or reasonably believes to exist. Supervisors are expected to inform their immediate supervisor promptly about any complaints, acts or threats of violence even if the situation has been addressed and resolved. After having reported such complaint or incident to University Police and immediate supervisor, the supervisor should keep it confidential and disclose it only as necessary during the investigation process and/or subsequent proceedings.
5. Every supervisor is obligated to report any knowledge of such conduct to the Office of Human Resources immediately. Failure of a supervisor to investigate and initiate appropriate action may result in administrative action up to and including discipline.

University Police

1. University Police are responsible for:
   1. Responding to;
   2. Intervening; and
   3. Documenting all incidents of violence or threats of violence in the workplace.
2. University Police will copy Human Resources on all incidents involving workplace violence. Human Resources will maintain an internal tracking system of all threats and incidents of violence. On an annual basis, this spreadsheet of incidents will be reviewed with the Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Committee.
3. When informed, University Police will maintain a record of any Orders of Protection.
4. University Police will provide escort service to members of the University community within its geographical confines, when sufficient personnel are available. Such services are to be extended at the discretion of the Chief of Police or designee.

Office of Human Resources

1. The Office of Human Resources (HR) is responsible for:
   1. Assisting University Police and supervisors in responding to workplace violence;
   2. Facilitating appropriate responses to reported incidents of workplace violence;
   3. Notifying University Police of workplace violence incidents reported to HR; and
   4. Consulting with, as necessary, counseling services to secure professional intervention.
2. The Office of Human Resources is responsible for providing new employees or employees transferred to the University with a copy of the Workplace Violence Policy and Program and ensuring that employees receive appropriate training pursuant to NYS Labor Law §27b.
3. The Office of Human Resources will also be responsible for annually disseminating information on how to access this policy and program to all employees, as well as posting the policy throughout the campus and on the University’s website, as appropriate.

Information and Training for Employees

1. The University shall make this Workplace Violence Prevention Policy and Program available, upon request, to its employees and their designated representatives.
2. At the time of employees’ initial assignment and annually thereafter, the University shall provide its employees with the following information and training on the risks of violence in their workplace(s):
   1. Be informed of the requirements of NYS Labor Law §27-b;
   2. The risk factors in their workplace(s);
   3. The location and availability of the written workplace violence prevention program; and
   4. Training sessions that outline:
      1. The measures employees can take to protect themselves from such risks, including specific procedures the University has implemented to protect employees; and
      2. Details of the written workplace violence prevention program developed by the University.
3. Completion of annual training is required via an on-line training component. Accommodations and/or additional training will be made upon request.

Record Keeping and Reporting to the NYS Labor Department

All record keeping and reporting shall be made in compliance with the then applicable law and regulation (currently New York State Labor Law Sections 27-a and 27-b and 12 NYCRR Part 801) and SUNY policy.

Retaliation

Retaliatory action against anyone acting in good faith who has made a complaint of workplace violence, who has reported witnessing workplace violence, or who has been involved in reporting, investigating, or responding to workplace violence is a violation of this policy. Those found responsible for retaliatory action will be subject to discipline up to and including termination.

Control Measures/Practical Guidance

Control measures and practical guidance from the Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Committee.

Counseling Assistance

If an employee has been the victim of workplace violence, or an employee has witnessed workplace violence, he or she may seek counseling from the University’s Employee Assistance Program by contacting the EAP Office at 607-777-6655. Consultations with, and assessments and referrals by, the EAP coordinator are in confidence.

Employees may also seek assistance from the University Ombudsman at 607-777-2388.

Students may seek assistance from the University Counseling Center 607-777-2772.