CHAPTER 5: ADMINISTRATION
PROCEDURE 5J.3/11 - Zero Tolerance for Violence
in the Workplace
for Policy 5J.3
Anoka-Ramsey Community College has adopted a Violence
Prevention Policy in accordance with Minnesota Statute
(MS 1.50) Freedom from Violence Act, which states “The
State of Minnesota hereby adopts a policy of zero tolerance
of violence. It is stated policy that every person in the
state has a right to live free from violence.” ARCC
will provide an educational and employment environment
that is free from threats or acts of violence, whether
perceived or real. Employees, students and visitors of
Anoka-Ramsey Community College will be treated with respect
and dignity.
Definition of Violence: “Violence” means the
abusive or unjust exercise of power, intimidation, harassment
and/or the threatened or actual use of force which results
in or has a high likelihood of causing hurt, fear, injury,
suffering or death. Workplace violence generally falls
in three categories:
- A violent act or threat (perceived or real) by
a current or former employee, supervisor of manager,
or
someone who
has some involvement with a current or former employee,
such as an employee’s spouse, significant other,
relative or another person who has a dispute with ah
employee
- A violent act or threat (perceived or real) by
a student or a member of the public visiting the college
- A violent act by someone totally unrelated to
the work environment
Violent acts are frequently the end result of long-standing
disputes or unresolved arguments, which can begin with
a disrespectful comment or action and escalate to more
serious levels of violence. A continuum of violence often
begins with such acts as name-calling or other negative
comments, which can progress to pushing, shoving, or shouting
and further continue into physical assault. The complete
workplace climate and environment must be assessed in order
to prevent violence, rather than merely respond to incidents
of violence in the workplace.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College will foster an environment
where employees, students and visitors are at low risk
of involvement in workplace violence. This will be accomplished
by encouraging mutual respect among all individuals, establishing
open and honest communication, inviting all employees to
provide input, and enforcing zero tolerance for any type
of violent behavior. Specifically, ARCC will:
- Provide information and training for employees
and information to students and visitors that will foster
a workplace environment
that is safe, respectful, pro-active and responsive to
threat or acts of violence
- Deal promptly, positively and aggressively with threats
or acts of violence.
- Take strong disciplinary action against employees and students
of ARCC who are involved in the commission of work-related
threats or acts of violence. (Disciplinary action includes
any measure up to and including discharge from employment
or expulsion from enrollment)
- Support criminal prosecution of those who threaten or commit
work-related violence against its employees, students
or visitors. Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 15, 86, this policy
does not create any civil liability on the part of the
State of Minnesota
-
Enforce the college policy of restricting possession or
carry of firearms applicable to the Minnesota State Colleges
and Universities System, in accordance with the Minnesota
Citizens’ Personal Protection Act of 2003, Minnesota
Statutes section 624.714, and other applicable law. (See
ARCC Policy 5J.4 Possession or Carry.)
-
Enforce the college policy of prohibiting possession or
carry of dangerous weapons by any person on college property
with the exception of those dangerous weapons carried 1)
by a law enforcement officer or licensed peace officer
under Minnesota Statutes section 626.84, subd. 1(c), when
assigned by the college to public safety duties or 2) by
employees or students for reasons pertaining to educational
purposes in the workplace. The category “dangerous
weapons” includes, but is not limited to, any weapon
that it illegal to possess; loaded or unloaded, assembled
or disassembled pellet guns, BB guns, and stun guns;
replicate firearms, as defined in Minnesota Statute 609.713;
knives
and other similar instruments with a blade length of
more than three inches, other than those normally present
in
the workplace for the specific purpose of food preparation
and service; any switchblade knife, brass or metal knuckles
and similar weapons; bows, cross-bows and arrows; explosives
and explosive devices; throwing stars, numchucks, clubs,
saps, and any other commonly used or intended for use
as a weapon.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College is committed to ensuring
the workplace provides for safety and reasonable protection
from workplace violence. The following actions and activities
will support violence prevention goals and policies:
- Emphasis will be placed on treating all people
with respect and dignity as indicated in the college’s
value statement, “Anoka-Ramsey values trust, fairness,
honesty and integrity in all interactions”
- Employees will be provided training that fosters
a workplace environment and climate that is devoid of
violence
- Employees will be expected to observe the procedures
as outlined in ARCC’s Environmental Health and
Safety policy
- Employees will be expected to lead by example in
promoting positive behavior
- Supervisors will be empowered to take immediate
action to resolve or stabilize violent situations in
the workplace
and to protect people from harm
- Supervisors will ensure appropriate incident response
reports are completed immediate when a threat or violent
incident occurs
- The Public Safety Department for each campus will serve as referral sources and respond as
needed to any incident report on their respective campuses.
- Operations will be conducted in a fair, efficient,
reliable and understandable manner
- Standards of conduct will be clear, communicated
and consistently enforced
- Discipline for unacceptable behavior will be used
fairly, consistently and appropriately
- ARCC will not tolerate threatening or violent language
or behavior among its employees, students or visitors.
- ARCC will uphold the Minnesota Manifesto—a
statement signed by college presidents representing Minnesota
higher
education, which prohibits acts of harassment and intolerance
and promotes the acceptance of and respect of every individual
in an atmosphere of caring for others
- Employees will be encouraged to make use of the
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)—an assessment, short-term
counseling and referral agency
--------------------------------
History:
| 04/09 |
Amended to clarify verbiage re: intolerance to language |
| 11/03 |
Amended to adopt language appropriate to new Minnesota Possession and carry law passed in Spring 2003 |
For Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) policies
and procedures, go to www.mnscu.edu/Policies/PolicyIndex.html
Back to top 
|
