We're sorry, but OSHAcademy doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript or install a browser that supports Javascript.

720 Preventing Workplace Violence
Skip to main content

Support Prosecution of Offenders

To prevent further incidents from occurring and to show their support of the victims, employers should support prosecution of offenders. Accommodate employees after a violent incident in order for them to make court appearances and work with the prosecution. Cooperate with law enforcement authorities to help identify and prosecute offenders through the use of any and all means at your disposal, such as "Crime Stoppers," rewards, etc.

Administrative Actions

In situations where a disruption has occurred on the job or where there is a belief the potential for violence exists, a supervisor may need to keep an employee away from the worksite to ensure the safety of employees while conducting further investigation and deciding on a course of action.

Immediate, Short-term Actions

Place employee on excused absence (commonly known as administrative leave).

Placing the employee in a paid, non-duty status is an immediate, temporary solution to the problem of an employee who should be kept away from the worksite. It may also be a good idea to offer the employee the option to work at home while on excused leave if possible.

Detail Employee to Another Position

This can be an effective way of getting an employee away from the worksite where he or she is causing other employees at the worksite to be disturbed. However, this action will be useful only if there is another position where the employee can work safely and without disrupting other workers.

Longer-term Actions

Supervisors are sometimes faced with a situation where there is insufficient information available to determine if an employee poses a safety risk, has actually committed a crime, or has a medical condition which might make disciplinary action inappropriate.

Indefinite Suspension

An indefinite suspension is an adverse action that takes an employee off-duty until the completion of some ongoing inquiry, such as a company investigation into allegations of misconduct. Companies usually propose indefinite suspensions when they will need more than 30 days to await the results of an investigation, await the completion of a criminal proceeding, or make a determination on the employee's medical condition.

Indefinite Enforced Leave

This action involves making the employee use his or her own sick or annual leave (after the 30-day notice period with pay) pending the outcome of an inquiry.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

6-4. In situations where a disruption has occurred on the job, or where there is a belief the potential for violence exists, a supervisor may need to ________.