Workplace Violence Prevention
In California, Senate Bill 553 was signed into law on September 30, 2023, and takes effect on July 1, 2024. Now Labor Code 6409.1, all employers are required to implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, designed to enhance the ability of an employer to prevent, identify, and respond to incidents of workplace violence.
Specifically, the new law requires all employers to:
- Identify the names and job titles of the persons responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the Workplace Violence Prevention Program.
- Highlight how employees can report violent incidents, threats, or other workplace violence concerns, and how to respond to reports.
- Reinforce against unlawful retaliation for reporting, in good faith, violent incidents, threats, or other workplace violence concerns, and participating in any related investigations of such reports.
- Outline procedures to respond to actual or potential workplace violence emergencies.
- Detail training requirements about this plan, including the frequency of training.
- Outline procedures to identify and evaluate workplace violence hazards.
- Communicate post-incident response and investigation processes.
Next Steps
The plan is currently issued in an interim status while the university seeks consultation with employees, including authorized representatives. Consultation will occur through an ad hoc advisory committee of the Campuswide Safety Committee. The Safety Committee will identify the best strategies to reach all employee groups between July 1 and December 31, 2024. If you would Iike to provide feedback or engage in this process, please contact Missy Brunetta for more information.
Contact
If you have questions about this plan, please contact:
Missy Brunetta
Associate Risk Officer, Risk Management & Safety Services
(707) 664-3408
Tyson Hill
Associate Vice President for Risk Management & Safety Services
(707) 664-3832