Emergency Procedures: Workplace Violence
GENERAL TIPS
- Remain calm
- Notify supervisor immediately
Call USC Police at 911 (emergency) or 803-777-4215 (non-emergency) depending on the situation and tell the dispatcher:
- Your location
- Person's behavior
- Person's physical description
- Person's location and direction of travel
- What you saw
- Where and when it happened
- Stay on the phone until released by the dispatcher
SIGNS OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
Consider the specific circumstances when evaluating the following signs. The presence of one characteristic may not necessarily mean a person is prone to workplace violence, but if in doubt, call USC Police.
- Threats, threatening behavior, displays of aggression, or excessive anger
- A history of threats or violent acts
- Unusual fascination with weapons
- Verbal abuse of coworkers and/or customers, or harassment via phone/e-mail
- Bizarre comments or behavior, especially if it includes violent content
- Holding grudges, inability to handle criticism, habitually making excuses, and/or blaming others
- Chronic, hypersensitive complaints about persecution or injustice
- Making jokes or offensive comments about violent acts
- Significant changes in mood or behavior