Public Employee Press

Workplace violence rules take effect in August

City agencies have until the end of August to put procedures in place to cut workplace violence.

New York State enacted a new law requiring public employers to take preventive action against assaults and homicides at work in 2006 after a strong DC 37 lobbying effort. The sad list of injured and dead employees bears painful witness to the need for action, but even after the law passed, opposition by the city administration stalled implementation.

Prevention key to safety

The law requires programs to prevent and minimize the hazard of workplace violence to public employees in every agency. The employers must develop and implement written statements regarding the goals of their program, provide for full employee and union representation, post the statement and implement the policy.

Management and labor representatives must evaluate each work location for potential risks of violence, and agencies must study records and work sites to identify patterns of injuries in particular areas or incidents involving specific operations. The written program must set forth the methods the employer will use to prevent incidents, report hazards and provide crisis counseling and training for employees.

Employers must develop procedures for reporting possible criminal activity to police agencies and working with district attorneys for prompt investigation and prosecution of such incidents.

No employer may retaliate against an employee for exercising any right under the law.