WORKPLACE VIOLENCE POLICY STATEMENT To: All City of New Britain Employees From: The Mayor's Office Date: January 22, 1999 It is the City of New Britain's policy to promote a safe environment for its employees. The City of New Britain is committed to working with its employees to maintain a work environment free from violence, threats of violence, harassment, intimidation, coercion, and other disruptive behavior. While this kind of conduct is not pervasive at the City of New Britain, no employer is immune. Every employer will be affected by disruptive behavior at one time or another. Violence, threats, intimidation and other disruptive behavior in our workplace will not be tolerated; that is, all reports of incidents will be taken seriously and will be dealt with appropriately. Such behavior can include oral or written statements, gestures, or expressions that communicate a direct or indirect threat of physical harm. Individuals who commit such acts may be removed from the premises and may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge; criminal penalties; or both. Additionally, no person* shall be permitted to carry a firearm, weapon, or bring weapon supplies or paraphernalia on City property. We need your cooperation to implement this policy effectively and maintain a safe working environment. Do not ignore violent threatening, harassing, intimidating or other disruptive behavior. If you observe or experience such behavior by anyone at the City of New Britain, whether he or she is an employee or not, report it immediately to a supervisor or manager. Supervising managers who receive such reports should seek advice from Mr. John Byrne, Personnel Director, 826-3404, regarding investigating the incident and seeking appropriate action. PLEASE NOTE: THREATS OR ASSAULTS THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BY SECURITY OR POLICE SHOULD BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY TO THE POLICE BY CALLING 911 (OR 9-911 IF FROM A CITY TELEPHONE EXTENSION). The City of New Britain will support all efforts made by supervisors in dealing with violent, threatening, harassing intimidating or other disruptive behavior in our workplace and will monitor whether this policy is being implemented effectively. If you have any questions about this policy statement please call John Byrne, Personnel Director, at 826-3404. *exception: Authorized Police personnel. INDICATORS OF POTENTIALLY VIOLENT BEHAVIOR Direct or veiled threats of harm. Intimidating, belligerent, harassing, bullying or other inappropriate or aggressive behavior. Numerous conflicts with supervisors or other employees. Bringing a weapon to the workplace, brandishing a weapon in the workplace, making inappropriate references to guns or a fascination with weapons. 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 or workplace homicide. Statements indicating desperation (over family, financial or other personal problems) to the point of contemplating suicide. Serious personal problems, such as divorce, bankruptcy or the death of someone close. Drug or alcohol abuse. Extreme changes in behavior, including mood swings, outbursts, insubordination. History of violent behavior, including family history of violence. Deterioration of work performance. Being a loner. Becoming paranoid about others. EXAMPLES OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE All threats or acts of violence occurring on City of New Britain property, regardless of the relationship between the City of New Britain and the parties involved in the incident; All threats or acts of violence not occurring on City of New Britain property but involving someone who is acting in the capacity of a representative of the City of New Britain; Any threats or acts resulting in the conviction of an employee or agent of the City of New Britain, or of an individual performing services on the City of New Britain's behalf on a contract or temporary basis, under any criminal code provision relating to threats or acts of violence that adversely affect the legitimate interests and goals of the City of New Britain. EXAMPLES OF PROHIBITED CONDUCT Hitting or shoving an individual. Threatening to harm an individual or his/her family, friends or associates, or their property. The intentional destruction or threat of destruction of property owned, operated, or controlled by the City of New Britain. Making harassing or threatening telephone calls, letters, or other forms of electronic or written communications (voice mail, e-mail, etc). Intimidating or attempting to coerce an employee to do wrongful acts that would affect the business interests of the City of New Britain. Harassing surveillance, also known as "stalking", the willful, malicious, and repeated following of another person in reasonable fear of his or her safety. Making a suggestion or otherwise intimating that an act to injure persons or property is "appropriate", without regard to the location where such suggestions or intimation occurs. Unauthorized possession or inappropriate use of firearms, weapons, or any other dangerous devices on City of