Violence in the Workplace

It is the policy of Berkeley Lab to create and maintain a community in which all employees can work together in an atmosphere of respect and civility, free of harassing and threatening behaviors. Laboratory policies are designed to protect and promote the rights of members of the Berkeley Lab community, and to prevent actions that interfere with those rights and with the Laboratory's mission. Any threat or violent act by an individual associated with Berkeley Lab, including any employee, contractor, guest, or student, will be considered serious misconduct and may be the basis for disciplinary action or dismissal. Such an act may be reported to local law enforcement officials for appropriate action.

To assist managers and individuals in assessing situations involving workplace violence, the Laboratory has established a Crisis Action Team (CAT), composed of Berkeley Lab and University of California, Berkeley, campus units with special expertise and professional training. These units work together to deal with verbal and physical behaviors perceived as disruptive, intimidating, threatening, or violent. CAT helps clarify the management of situations (including legal and psychological issues), coordinates communication, and monitors resolution of incidents. If an employee believes he or she needs assistance, that employee should call the Manager of Labor and Employee Relations at ext. 6747. If he or she is experiencing an immediate threat, the employee should dial 7911 (or 9-911 from a campus phone). This entire policy can be viewed here. Supervisors interested in attending an Understanding and Preventing Workplace Violence Workshop should contact their HR Center for more information.