The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines workplace violence as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site.” It can range from verbal threats to physical assaults and it can involve employees, clients, or visitors. According to a 2022 survey of U.S. workers by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), 28 percent of workers have either witnessed aggressive interactions between coworkers or have been personally involved in an aggressive confrontation. On average, there are 760 fatal occupational injuries each year that are attributed to the intentional action of another person.

Cultivating a workplace environment that is free of violence and harassment requires more than the lip service that is often found in employee handbook policies. It requires a commitment by organizational leadership to bring awareness to these issues, the implementation of a comprehensive prevention plan, and training. An organization’s failure to proactively take the necessary steps to minimize workplace violence and harassment can result in significant legal exposure under the “general duty clause” of the Occupational Safety and Health Act or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In this webinar, we will delve into an employer’s compliance obligations to prevent violence and harassment under the law. Additionally, we will discuss real-life examples where employers have been held responsible for failing to fulfill their legal obligations to combat violence and harassment in the workplace. And, we will present best practices for implementing a workplace violence prevention plan, drafting anti-violence and anti-harassment policies, and avoiding potential legal risk.

Please note: This webinar is offered as a complimentary product to all Employment Law and Human Resources Compliance and Training Package holders. For more information on the training package, click here or contact us.