706. Workplace Violence and Threats of Harm
Statement
Acts or threats of violence include conduct which is sufficiently severe, offensive, or intimidating to alter the employment conditions at Santa Clara University or to create a hostile, abusive, or intimidating work environment for one or several Santa Clara University employees. Examples of workplace violence include, but are not limited to, the following:
- All threats or acts of violence occurring on Santa Clara University premises, regardless of the relationship between the University and the parties involved in the incident.
- All threats or acts of violence occurring off the University premises involving someone who is acting in the capacity of a representative of Santa Clara University.
- All threats or acts of violence occurring off the University premises involving an employee of Santa Clara University if the threats or acts affect the legitimate interests of the University.
- Any acts or threats resulting in the conviction of an employee or agent of the University, or of an individual performing services for the University on a contract or temporary basis, under any criminal code provision relating to violence or threats of violence which adversely affect the legitimate interests and goals of Santa Clara University.
Procedure
Some examples of conduct which may be considered threats or acts of violence include, but are not limited to, the following: hitting or shoving an individual; threatening an individual or his/her family, friends, associates, or property with harm; the intentional destruction or threat of destruction of Santa Clara University property; harassing or threatening phone calls; harassing surveillance or stalking; the suggestion or intimation that violence is appropriate; or possession or inappropriate use of firearms or weapons.
The University’s prohibition against threats and acts of violence applies to all persons involved in the University’s operation, including, but not limited to, Santa Clara University personnel, contract and temporary workers, and anyone else on Santa Clara University property. Violations of this policy by any individual on Santa Clara University property, by any individual acting as a representative of Santa Clara University while off Santa Clara University property, or by any individual acting off of Santa Clara University property when his/her actions affect the University’s business interests will lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination and/or legal action as appropriate.
Responsibility
Every employee and every person on Santa Clara University property is encouraged to report incidents of threats or acts of physical violence of which he/she is aware. The report should be made to the Director of Campus Safety, the reporting individual’s immediate supervisor, or another supervisory employee if the immediate supervisor is not available. Nothing in this policy alters any other reporting obligation established in University policies or in state, federal, or other applicable law.
All in-progress or impending incidents of workplace violence should be reported immediately to the Santa Clara Police Department by calling or texting 911 or to the Campus Safety Services 24-hour emergency line by dialing 408-554-4444.
Resource
More detailed, in some cases department specific, procedures are contained in the SCU Injury and Illness Prevention Policy distributed separately. Questions and/or requests for consultation may be directed to the Director of Campus Safety Services or Human Resources.
Policy Approved: October 23, 1998
Last Updated: August 1, 2023
Last Reviewed: August 1, 2023
Maintainer: Human Resources