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The City University of New York Violence Prevention Policy Statement

The City University of New York (the “University” or “CUNY”) is committed to the prevention of workplace violence and will respond promptly to any threats and/or acts of violence.

Workplace Violence Policy

For purposes of this policy, Workplace Violence is defined as any physical assault or act of aggressive behavior occurring where an employee performs any work-related duty in the course of his or her employment, including but not limited to:

      1. An attempt or threat, whether verbal or physical, to inflict physical injury upon an employee;
      2. Any intentional display of force that would give an employee reason to fear or expect bodily harm;
      3. Intentional and wrongful physical contact with an employee, without his or her consent, that entails some injury; and
      4. Stalking an employee in a manner that may cause the employee to fear for his or her physical safety and health when such stalking has arisen through and in the course of employment.

Workplace violence presents a serious occupational safety hazard to CUNY and its employees. The University will respond promptly to threats and/or acts of violence. All employees are responsible for helping to create an environment of mutual respect and for assisting in maintaining a safe and secure work environment, and will participate in the annual Workplace Violence Prevention Training Program. Individuals who violate this policy may be removed from University property and are subject to disciplinary and/or personnel action up to and including termination, consistent with University policies, rules and collective bargaining agreements, and/or referral to law enforcement authorities for criminal prosecution.

Incidents involving workplace violence will be given the serious attention they deserve. Employees are responsible for reporting any incidents of workplace violence of which they become aware. The procedure for reporting incidents of suspected or alleged workplace violence can be found in the campus-specific workplace violence prevention programs.

For more information on the CUNY Violence Prevention Policy please see:

http://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/ohrm/policies-procedures/finalnondeiscrimpolicy121213.pdf

Complaints of sexual harassment are covered under the University’s Policies and Procedures on Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Against Sexual Harassment.

The University, at the request of an employee or student, or at its own discretion, may prohibit members of the public, including family members, from seeing an employee or student on University property unless necessary to transact University-related business. This policy particularly applies when an employee or student anticipates that an act of violence may result from an encounter with said individual(s).

Students are not directly covered by this policy, but they should contact the Department of Public Safety to report concerns about workplace violence. Please also see The City University of New York Policies and Procedures Concerning Sexual Assault, Stalking and Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Against Students: http://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/la/CUNYSexualAssaultPolicy.pdf