Definitions

Workplace violence is defined as any act of violence or threat of violence that occurs on the employer's premises and at other locations where employees are engaged in work related activities or are present as a condition of employment. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• The threat or use of physical force against an employee that results in, or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, psychological trauma, or stress, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.
• An incident involving a threat or use of firearm or other dangerous weapon, including the use of common objects as weapons, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.
• Threats of or act of self-inflicted harm or suicide. 

Threat of violence means any verbal or written statement, including, but not limited to, texts, electronic messages, social media messages, or other online posts, or any behavioral or physical conduct, that conveys an intent, or that is reasonably perceived to convey an intent to cause physical harm or to place someone in fear of physical harm, and that serves no legitimate purpose.

There are four types of workplace violence:

Type 1 violence – workplace violence committed by a person who has no legitimate business at the worksite and includes violent acts by anyone who enters the workplace or approaches workers with the intent to commit a crime.

Type 2 violence – workplace violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients, students, inmates, or visitors.

Type 3 violence – workplace violence against an employee by a present or former employee, supervisor, or manager. Includes acts or threats of self harm by a County employee.

Type 4 violence – workplace violence committed in the workplace by a person who does not work there but has or is known to have had a personal relationship with an employee.      

Workplace violence does not include lawful acts of self-defense or lawful defense of others.​