Workplace Violence Prevention

Learn about workplace violence and how you can prevent it. Together, we can create a secure and supportive campus environment.

Introduction

UC San Diego strives to maintain a safe workplace, free from threats and acts of intimidation and violence. Any acts of violence or threats indicating an imminent risk of violence should be reported directly to the UC San Diego Police Department or to the local police department if an employee is away from campus. Emergencies or situations that may pose an immediate or ongoing threat to the health and safety of our students, employees and visitors should immediately be reported by calling or texting 9-1-1, or by using one of the call boxes located in the parking areas. For non-emergencies, please call (858) 534-HELP (4357). The Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP) at UC San Diego. The goal is to promote a work environment that is predicated on employee well-being. 

What Is Workplace Violence?

Any act of violence or threat of violence that occurs in a place of employment. Acts of violence include, but are not limited to, 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; and incidents involving a threat or use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, including the use of common objects as weapons, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury. Workplace violence does not include lawful acts of self-defense or defense of others.

Any UC San Diego employee who is the subject of, or a witness to workplace violence should immediately report the incident to the UC San Diego Police Department

Any supervisor, manager or administrator who witnesses or hears about any potential workplace violence should immediately report the incident to the UC San Diego Police Department..

To learn more about preventing workplace violence, review the Workplace Violence Prevention Plan.

UC San Diego, faculty, and staff are asked to provide input on this Plan anytime. Comments, suggestions, or concerns about this Plan can be directed to the email contact below this page, or EH&S at 858-534-3660. Employees may also submit requests to the WVPP Administrator for the Violent Incident Log by emailing the contact below this page.

Reporting Incidents

How to make a report

Any acts of violence or threats indicating an imminent risk of violence should be reported directly to the UC San Diego Police Department or to the local police department if an employee is away from campus. Emergencies or situations that may pose an immediate or ongoing threat to the health and safety of our students, employees and visitors should immediately be reported by calling or texting 9-1-1, or by using one of the call boxes located in the parking areas. For non-emergencies, please call (858) 534-HELP (4357).

The UC San Diego online Incident Reporting Portal allows employees to report incidents of violence or threats without fear of retaliation. Reports can be made through the UC San Diego Workplace Violence Incident Reporting Portal. (Use your UCSD Single-Sign-On to login).

UC Workplace Violence Prevention Training

The University of California developed training to educate our community on recognizing potential signs of workplace violence and the appropriate actions to take in response. This overview was created to empower a workplace with knowledge and skills to maintain a safe environment. After October 7, 2024, the training for Campus employees will be available by logging in to the UC Learning Center and going directly to your assigned training. Before that date, you can log into UC Learning and search using the keyword WVPGEN to locate the course. UC San Diego Health System employees and Law Enforcement officers will be assigned a separate training. UC San Diego Health System employees should follow the information listed on Pulse.

Other Safety-Related Policies and Procedures 

Clery Act/Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”) requires colleges and universities publish an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report describing campus security; alcohol and drug policies; missing person reports; crime prevention; information on dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking prevention and response; and procedures for timely warning notifications and emergency response and evacuation, among others. This report also includes important fire safety information and statistics concerning on-campus student housing facility fires, fire drills and fire safety education and training. The report also contains certain crime and fire statistics for the prior three calendar years. The report can be accessed here: https://www.police.ucsd.edu/docs/annualclery.pdf. Paper copies can be requested by contacting the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534-4361 or in person at the UC San Diego Police Department located in Campus Services Complex, Bldg. B.

If you have been identified as a Campus Security Authority, report a Clery crime to the UC San Diego Police Department online or complete a fillable PDF and send it to csareport@ucsd.edu.

Whistleblower Hotline

• The University of California takes violations of federal and state laws, and of University policy, seriously. EthicsPoint provides a confidential means for reporting suspected misconduct. You may report your concerns online or by phone.
• Online: universityofcalifornia.edu/hotline
• Phone: 800-403-4744 (available 24/7)
• With either method, you can choose to remain anonymous.

Reports of Unlawful Harassment, Discrimination, Sexual Violence, Relationship Violence and Stalking

• The Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD)  is responsible for assessing and investigating reports of discrimination or harassment based on race, ancestry, national origin, disability, religion, age, and other categories protected by law and University policy, as well as reports involving sexual violence, relationship violence and stalking involving UC San Diego staff, faculty and students. OPHD is also the Title IX Office at UC San Diego.

To make a report:

• Call: 858-534-8298
• Email: ophd@ucsd.edu
• Website: ucsd.edu
• Isight Portal: i-sight.com/portal

Resources 

In the event of a violent incident in the workplace, UC San Diego is equipped with counseling services through the Faculty, Staff Assistance Program (FSAP), Campus Advocacy, Resources, and Education at the Sexual Assault Resource Center (CARE at SARC), and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to help employees recover and return to a safe and supportive workplace.

Maintaining a Safe Workplace

Every employee plays a vital role in maintaining a violence-free workplace. We encourage you to:

• Familiarize yourself with our policies and procedures
• Participate in training and offer suggestions to the Workplace Violence Plan Administrator
• Report any violent incidents immediately
• Support your colleagues in maintaining a respectful and safe environment

 Together, we can create a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to do their best work.