Common use of WORKPLACE AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE Clause in Contracts

WORKPLACE AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE. While recognizing the Employer’s legal responsibility to ensure that service needs are met, the Employer also recognizes that the safety of its employees is of primary importance. The Employer shall initiate measures in order to reduce the potential for experiencing aggression and/or violence within the workplace. For the purpose of this article workplace aggression and violence means the attempted, threatened or actual conduct of a client that causes or is likely to cause injury, and includes any threatening statement or behaviour that gives a worker reasonable cause to believe that individuals are at risk of injury. Workplace aggression and violence includes the application of force, threats with or without weapons, verbal abuse and harassment. In the event that an act of workplace aggression and/or violence as defined above occurs the following shall be considered (but not limited to) by the Director, Supervisor and employee: - Transfer of the file or the worker - The need for additional staff support - Temporary reassignment of current workload to someone not involved in the incident - Referral and access to Peer Support or other crisis related counselling. Time spent in Peer Support will be considered time worked. - Accompaniment to the hospital and/or home Compensation for damage, repair and/or replacement resulting from an act of workplace aggression and/or violence will be provided for items worn or carried by the employee for reasonable costs, up to a maximum or $1,250 upon provision of a receipt. All incidents as defined above will be reported to the Joint Central Health and Safety Committee. The Joint Central Health and Safety Committee shall identify issues related to workplace violence and aggression and shall make recommendations regarding policy, training and/or other remedies to the Employer. The Employer recognizes that employees shall be prepared to acknowledge clients’ concerns and responses and to take proactive steps accordingly to engage clients. Violence, personal intimidation or threats of violence will not be tolerated. Clients who resort to such behaviours compromise their ability, at least temporarily, to receive service on a collaborative basis from the Society. Acts of violence and/or aggression towards employees by a client or any member of the public are unacceptable and will result in corrective actions to protect employees and may include, but not be limited to, changes in service provision and the consideration of criminal charges. Any time spent in criminal court as a result of workplace violence and/or aggression will be considered time worked. The Employer shall provide mandatory training in procedures for handling potentially violent situations. The Employer agrees to provide debriefing and post-traumatic stress counselling for individuals who have been exposed to violence or aggression in the workplace (including secondary trauma and vicarious trauma).