UCOP Human Resources

There is no universally accepted definition for workplace violence, and it is defined differently by various entities. Per Labor Code 6401.9, the definition is as follows:

• (A) Any act of violence or threat of violence that occurs in a place of employment.
• (B) "Workplace violence" includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• (i) The threat or use of physical force against an employee that results in, or has a high likelihood of resulting in, injury, psychological trauma, or stress, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.
• (ii) An incident involving a threat or use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, including the use of common objects as weapons, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.
• (iii) The following four workplace violence types:
  • (I) "Type 1 violence," which means workplace violence committed by a person who has no legitimate business at the worksite, and includes violent acts by anyone who enters the workplace or approaches workers with the intent to commit a crime.
  • (II) "Type 2 violence," which means workplace violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients, students, inmates, or visitors.
  • (III) "Type 3 violence," which means workplace violence against an employee by a present or former employee, supervisor, or manager.
  • (IV) "Type 4 violence," which means workplace violence committed in the workplace by a person who does not work there, but has or is known to have had a personal relationship with an employee.

• (C) "Workplace violence" does not include lawful acts of self-defense or defense of others.

• Anyone who experiences a workplace violence act or threat at Local UCOP should submit an incident report using the online reporting tool. In the event of an emergency, in response to an actual or potential workplace violence incident or concern, Local UCOP affiliated individuals can obtain assistance from UCSF Police Services and/or security personnel by:
• Dialing or texting 9-1-1
• Activating a duress/panic alarm, if available in your work area

• To empower our community with the knowledge and skills to recognize and avoid workplace violence, mandatory annual training was developed for compliance by the Systemwide Learning and Development Team. This training should take approximately 25 minutes to complete and covers how to report incidents or concerns without fear of retaliation plus how to access available support services. This training is required for completion by all staff, faculty, and student workers within 30 days of assignment from the Local Learning and Development Team.