Workplace Violence Concerns

Our Lab Plan for Workplace Violence Prevention is designed to ensure the safety of our community and is also consistent with California state law that requires every employer to establish, implement, and maintain an effective Workplace Violence Prevention Plan. (California Labor Code, Section 6401.9). 

Key Components of the Lab's Plan:

• Training

• Reporting 

• Support

• Review and Improvement

To request a copy of the Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, please email workplaceviolenceprevention@lbl.gov

All members of the Lab community have an obligation to help maintain a safe work environment.  Acts or Threats of workplace violence behavior must be reported. The Lab shall maintain the confidentiality of workplace violence investigations to the extent possible. Employees may report workplace violence without fear of reprisal or retaliation.

During emergencies/immediate threats

If there is an immediate threat of violence call 911.

During non-emergency/non-imminent violence situations

Acts or threats of violence that do not present an immediate emergency situation should be reported to the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) via the UC Workplace Violence Online Reporting portal. You will need to log on using your Lab ID.  Please be advised that submitting a workplace violence report via the UC Workplace Violence Online Reporting portal is NOT considered a police report.

Everyone plays a vital role in maintaining a violence-free workplace. 

You are encouraged to:

• Familiarize yourself with Lab policies and procedures.

• Participate in training and offer suggestions to the Workplace Violence Program Administrator at workplaceviolenceprevention@lbl.gov.

• Report any violent incidents immediately. 

• Support your colleagues in maintaining a respectful and safe environment by adopting Berkeley Lab's Core Values, including those of trust and respect.

Types of incidents to report include, but are not limited to, incidents that result in, or risk resulting in, physical harm, such as:

• Hitting, punching, pushing, kicking, spitting, shoving, throwing items, grabbing, or physical sexual contact

• All other attempts at physical harm

• Throwing items on the ground, against the wall or against the window

• Use, or threat of using, a firearm or other dangerous weapon, including the use of common objects as weapons, regardless of injury 

Additionally, report incidents involving the intent to harm, which include, but are not limited to:

• Verbal or written threats, including those conveyed in person or via phone, text, email, social media or other online posts

• Physical posturing (e.g. clenched fists or fighting stance) that is reasonably perceived to convey an intent to cause harm or place someone in fear of harm, and serves no legitimate purpose

As defined by California Law, Senate Bill (SB) 553 and California Labor Code Section 6401.9,  

workplace violence is:

• An act or threat of violence directed at an employee that occurs in a place of employment; 

• A threat or use of force that results, or likely could result, in injury, psychological trauma or stress; 

• Incidents involving threat or use of firearm or other dangerous weapon.  

Threats can be verbal or in writing, and involve violence that could be constructed to be carried out in the workplace. 

All Berkeley Lab employees are required to complete the Workplace Violence Prevention training through the University of California (UC) Learning Center. This training was developed in accordance with the training requirements established by California Senate Bill 553. Its goal is to help members of the UC community, including Berkeley Lab to understand and report workplace violence, and to be able to recognize and respond to escalating behavior. This course should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

By the end of this training, you should be able to:

• Define workplace violence under California state law

• Be familiar with the elements of the Workplace Violence Prevention program at your location

• Report incidents of workplace violence through appropriate channels

• Access resources and services at your location for additional assistance and training