Policies

Pittsburg State University

Workplace Violence Policy

The safety and security of Pittsburg State University employees are very important.  Threats, threatening behavior, acts of violence, or any related conduct which disrupts another's work performance or the university's ability to execute its mission will not be tolerated.

Any person who makes threats, exhibits threatening behavior, or engages in violent acts on university-owned or leased property may be removed from the premises pending the outcome of an investigation.  Threats, threatening behavior, or other acts of violence executed off university-owned or leased property but directed at Pittsburg State University employees or members of the public while conducting official university business is a violation of this policy. Off-site threats include but are not limited to threats made via the telephone, fax, electronic or conventional mail, or any other communication medium.

Violations of this policy will lead to disciplinary action that may include dismissal, arrest, and prosecution.  In addition, if the source of such inappropriate behavior is a member of the public, the response may also include barring the person(s) from university-owned or leased premises, termination of business relationships with that individual, and/or prosecution of the person(s) involved.

Employees are responsible for notifying the Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Auxiliary Services of any threats they have witnessed, received, or have been told that another person has witnessed or received.  Employees should also report any behavior they have witnessed which they regard as threatening or violent when that behavior is job related or might be carried out on university-owned or leased property or in connection with university employment.  The Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Auxiliary Services can be located in 203 Russ Hall.

Each employee who receives a protective or restraining order which lists university-owned or leased premises as a protected area is required to provide the Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Auxiliary Services with a copy of such order.

Workplace Violence Policy & Plan

Workplace Violence Policy

The Workplace Violence Policy for Pittsburg State University is posted on the university website under the President's Office, Policies, and is attached for your perusal.  The policy was established in accordance with the established Workplace Violence Policy of the State of Kansas.

Prevention Plan and Response

The role of prevention is to provide a workplace in which employees and all others involved in the business of the university feel safe and are free from threat, harassment, and violence. Violence, real or threatened, is not tolerated in our workplace.  The University fully supports the Workplace Violence Policy of the State of Kansas and Pittsburg State University.  The University has developed procedures of prevention and response to situations of potential or actual violence.

Reports of Imminent or Potential Threat

In Cases of Imminent Physical Threat:

Dial 911

In cases of Potential Threat, call our agency designee:

8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
620-235-4231
Mr. Steve Erwin
Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Auxiliary Services
serwin@pittstate.edu
If you need to make such contact, please be sure to indicate that the situation is one involving a workplace violence issue.  Even if not available in the office, Mr. Erwin will be contacted as soon as possible.

Before 8:00 am or after 4:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday
620-235-4624
University Police
If you need to make such contact, please be sure to indicate that the situation is one involving a workplace violence issue.

Emergency Phone Location Listing (Map)

Protection or Restraining Orders

In accordance with the PSU Workplace Violence Policy, "Each employee who receives a protective or restraining order which lists university-owned or leased premises as a protected area is required to provide the Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Auxiliary Services with a copy of such order."  The Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Auxiliary Services will provide University Police with a copy of said order.

Threat Management Team

The University has appointed a Threat Management Team to review situations of threat, potential violence, or violence in the workplace that do not involve immediate physical threat.  If faculty, staff or student employees feel threatened or if a potentially violent situation exists, they should make contact as noted above indicating that the situation is one involving a workplace violence issue.  Other members besides Mr. Steve Erwin, Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Auxiliary Services, include:

    Mr. Mike McCracken, Director, University Police and Parking Services
    Ms. Carol Oehme, Administrative Specialist, Psychology and Counseling
    Dr. Janet Smith, Professor, Psychology and Counseling
    Ms. Jamie Brooksher, General Counsel (Ex-Officio)

The Threat Management Team maintains all records pertaining to matters coming before it. Records shall be held confidentially unless requested by court order.  Although PSU has an obligation to investigate any threats of workplace violence to safeguard employees, students, and public, PSU will conduct investigations legally and as unobtrusively as possible.

In the event of actual incidence or evaluation of threat/violence, under direction of the President of the university, the Team will identify and use available resources and act as liaison with those resources including local authorities; will conduct interviews with involved parties when appropriate; will manage all necessary communications; will assign responsibilities for contact of families and others; will work with employee supervisors/administrators about work-related issues, assignments, continued employment; and, will manage aspects of operations and care in crisis situations including details of aftermath.

The Threat Management Team makes recommendations regarding aspects of risk management including establishment and review of security procedures.  Training programs aimed to prevent workplace violence will periodically be provided by the team addressing issues such as creating awareness of potential for violence in the workplace, ground rules for behavior, improvement of communications and other prevention measures, recognition of inappropriate behavior, management and reporting of incidents, and safety measures.

Lifeline

Lifeline, the State of Kansas employee assistance program, provides free confidential help to employees or their immediate family members experiencing problems such as marital conflict, depression, alcohol or drugs, financial trouble, or family difficulties.  Contact LIFELINE at any time by calling the 24-hour toll-free number 1-800-284-7575.

Approved
President Tom W. Bryant
June 2, 2003
Revised:  August 2004
Revised:  May 2005
Revised:  September 2005