1. University of South Florida System Workplace Violence Procedure
I. INTRODUCTION (Purpose and Intent)
It isthe intentof the University of SouthFloridaSystem(hereinafter“USFSystem”) topromote an
academiccommunitythatprovidesforstudentsuccess bymaintainingasafe andsecure environment
for itsemployees free fromworkplace violence,threats,intimidation,coercion,stalkingandbullying. To
achieve thatpurpose,the followingprocedure specificallyaddressesthe USFSystem’szero- tolerance
for suchbehavior,itssupportforany employee victimof suchbehaviorandits continued commitment
to the well-beingandproductivityof itsemployees.
II. TERMS and GUIDELINES
Bullyingincludes aggressivebehaviororverbal abuse thatintendsto threaten,intimidate,orhumiliate
anotherperson.
Coercion meanstocompel an individual to performsome actagainsthisor herwill bythe use of
psychological pressure,physical force,orthreats.
Imminentdangermeansintentional actorconditionthatcouldcause deathor seriousphysical harm.
Intimidation meansmakingothersafraidorfearful throughone’sbehavior.
Propertydamage includesthe intentional damage toordestructionof propertyowned byorinthe
possessionof the USFSystem.
Stalkingmeanstorepeatedlyfollow,make contactwith, and/orharassanotherperson insucha manner
that wouldcause a reasonable persontofear.
Threatsinclude anybehaviororexpressionof intenttoinflictphysical harmoractionsthat a reasonable
personwouldinterpretasa threatto physical safetyorproperty. Threatsmay be oral,written,or
communicated electronically andmaybe director implied.
Violence includesany intentional behavior,directorindirect, whichresultsinbodilyinjurytoaperson,
includingoneself, ananimal, and/ordamage toproperty.
EXAMPLES OF PROHIBITEDACTIVITIES (includebutare notlimitedto)
 Disruptive behaviorthathasthe intendedeffecttodisturb,interfere withorpreventnormal
activities. Thiswouldincludeyelling,usingprofanity,verballyabusingothersorwavingone’s
arms and fistsina menacingmanner.
 Causingharmor attemptingtocause harm throughintentional physical contact.
 Intentional behaviorthatdemeans,humiliates,alarmsorverballyabusesapersonandthatis
knownor one wouldexpect tobe unwelcome. Thiscouldinclude wordsorgestures.

2.  Defacingor damagingproperty.
 Retaliatingagainstanyindividual who,ingoodfaith, hasmade a complaintof a violationof
thisprocedure,hasreportedaviolationof this procedure,orrespondedtoor investigateda
violationof this procedure.
 Usinga computerto attack othercomputers(e.g.,viruses).
 Threateningtoinjure anindividual ortodamage property.
 Useing,possessing,ormanufacturing,withoutauthorization,firearms,explosives,weapons,
unregisteredfireworks,orotherdangerousarticlesor substances injurioustopersonsor
property (see USFPolicy 6-009).
III. STATEMENT OF PROCEDURE
The USF Systemdoesnottolerate actsof violence or hostility,oracts thatnegativelyimpactthe well-
beingof membersof the USF Systemcommunity. Suchactsoccurringon or in USF Systemowned,
controlled,orleasedpropertiesorwhile conducting USFSystembusinessoff propertyare covered
underthis procedure.
IV. REQUIREMENT and PROCEDURES
A. AFFIRMATIVEDUTIES
 Promote respectanddignitywithinthe USFSystemcommunity.
 A victimof any prohibitedactivityorviolationof thisprocedurewillreportthe incident
immediatelybycontactingthe USFPolice Department.
 Anyemployee of the USFSystemwhowitnessesaprocedure violationorthe potentialfor
such violationwill reportsuchviolationsinaccordance withthe establishedprocedures.
 Assessthe urgencyof the situationandif itwarrants immediate consultation, dial911 or
contact the USF Police Departmentorthe departmentvestedwithlaw enforcement
authorityat the institutionorcampusinquestion(hereinafter“designatedPolice
Department).
 Whenapplicable,employees will cooperatefullywiththe investigationandprosecutionof
violationsof this procedure.
 Any employee of the USFSystem,whotakesouta protective orrestrainingorderagainst
anotheremployeeorreceivesaprotective orrestrainingorderwhichlists USFSystemowned
or leasedpremisesasa protectedarea, will providethe designated Police Departmentwitha
copy of such order(alongwitha photographof the personagainstwhomthe orderhas been
issuedif possible).
 The USF Systemencourages employees tobringanydisputesordifferenceswith other
employees tothe attentionof theirsupervisororthe Divisionof HumanResourcesbefore the
situationescalates.

3. B. REPORTINGPROCEDURES
Incidentsof violence,threatsof violence,orobservationsof violence are notto be ignoredbyany
employee. Incidentsof violence oncampusorinthe workplace shouldbe promptlyreportedtothe
designated Police Department. Additionally,all employees are encouragedtoreportbehaviorthey
reasonablybelieve posesapotential for violence inordertomaintainasafe workingandlearning
environmenttothe designatedPolice Department.
C. INVESTIGATION OFTHE INCIDENT
All reportsof violationsof this procedure will be thoroughlyinvestigated. Inorderto maintain campus
and workplace safetyandthe integrityof itsinvestigation,the USFSysteminkeepingwithitspolicies
may place an employee onadministrative leave pendingthe investigation. Tothe extent allowedby
law,the identityof the individualmakingthe reportwillbe treatedconfidentially.
D. REMEDIES FOR PROCEDURE VIOLATIONS
Employees,whoviolate this procedure,maybe removed,trespassed fromUSFSystemproperty, and/or
preventedfrom doingbusinesswiththe USFSystem. Employeeswill be subjecttodisciplinaryactionup
to and includingdismissal consistentwith USFSystempolicies,regulations,collective bargaining
agreementsandbe subjecttocivil andcriminal prosecution,asapplicable.
Employees, whointentionallyfilefalsereportspertainingtothe prohibitedactsenumeratedinthis
procedure,will alsobe subjecttothe remedieslistedabove.
E. SUPPORTFOR THE VICTIM
The safetyand securityof itsemployees isof utmostconcerntothe USF System. Effortwill be made to
provide acampus andworkplace free from violence and the prohibitedactivitieslisted above. Support
will be giventothose employees, whoare victimsof andthose exposedto acts or threatsof workplace
violence, byidentifyingappropriate resources,offeringsecuritymeasuresandotherassistance.
Examplesmayinclude:
 Special accommodations
 Adjustmentstoworkorschedule,locationorworkingconditions
 Referral tothe Employee AssistanceProgram
 Referral tothe USF Centerfor VictimAdvocacyandViolence Prevention
 The USF Systemwill accommodate these requestsandneedswheneverpossibleand
appropriate.

4. F. Weaponson USF Property
In orderto maintaina safe academicenvironment,the USFSystemprohibitsthe use,storage,and
possessionof weaponsonUSFSystemproperty,withlimitedexceptions, asspelledoutin USFPolicy 6-
009.
Exceptfor lawenforcementofficers,this procedureisapplicable toall employees atanyUSF System
campus,facility,orevent.
In additiontofirearms,the USFSystemalsoprohibitsthe possessionof all otherweaponsonUSF
Systemproperty,otherthancommonpocketknives,legitimatetoolsappropriatelyusedinauthorized
workon campus,and otherlimitedexceptionsdefined inUSFPolicy 6-009.
I would like to note that in additionto the policy,I createdpowerpointpresentationsfor a)
employees,b) supervisorsandc) the threat assessmentteam.