Workplace Violence Prevention Quick Guide

Flowing from our faith mission that calls us to love others and treat them how we would want to be treated, the ways in which we interact with one another is of utmost importance. The University’s mission and Code of Ethics reminds us that every person is to be treated with dignity and respect. Each of us is responsible for creating the Pepperdine community and culture – in which everyone is welcomed, respected, and loved. Part of this responsibility is knowing when and how to alert others of concerning behaviors to protect our colleagues and the close-knit community that we enjoy.

Workplace Violence Defined

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. Knowing how to prevent, identify, and navigate the difficulties of workplace violence are critical skills for supervisors to create a safer work environment.

Threat Assessment at Pepperdine

The best case scenario is to prevent a violent event before it happens. Our highest chance at prevention calls upon all community members to report concerning, threatening, or suspicious behavior. Tips received about individuals of concern are rapidly shared with the University’s experienced and well-trained multidisciplinary threat assessment team, which partners with nationally recognized experts in psychology, threat management, and all levels of law enforcement when necessary. As with all of the University's emergency preparedness plans, the highest priority is placed on the safety of the University community, our students, faculty, and staff.

Pepperdine Resources

What Should You Look For?

Perpetrators of workplace violence often display behaviors that may indicate future risk. Intervening before situations escalate is critical to the safety and wellbeing of all community members. Remaining cognizant of the tendencies that align with these feelings may help identify indicators early on. Some indicators include:

Workplace Violence Prevention

Levels of Concern and Response

Not all behaviors associated with workplace violence are equal in severity. Each concern warrants- a unique and appropriate response.

The Concern Equation

• The Equation: warning signs = concern
• The Solution: Balance compassionate leadership while requiring performance excellence.
  • Hold employees accountable to performance standards while preventing “violence to the spirit” of colleagues at Pepperdine (address words and behavior that detract from Pepperdine’s ethos and culture).
  • Exercise the “Fairness Standards” of performance management: notice levels of concern, investigate concerns, prioritize consistency with employees and community members, correct behavior).
  • “See, Hear, Care, Share” (see below)
• See, Hear, Care, Share: Proactively prevent workplace violence; simply noticing concerning behavior is not enough.
  • Supervisors see and hear by identifying non-normative behaviors associated with troubled employees and disturbing conduct. This comes in the form of observing the employee’s typical workday and noticing any oddities or listening to concerns of colleagues.
  • Supervisors act with care by knowing when and how to intervene and inquire with compassion while holding individuals accountable to performance and community standards.
  • Finally, supervisors must share their concerns with Human Resources, the Department of Public Safety, and the Threat Assessment Team