CUPE Health Care Workers' Council of Unions

ARTICLE 18 - VIOLENCE

18.01 Violence in the Workplace

The Employer(s) and Local of the Union agree that violence against Employees in the workplace is not desirable and agree to work together to reduce the incidence and causal factors of violence.

To that end, the following shall apply:

a) Definition of Violence

Violence shall be defined as any incident in which an Employee is physically or verbally abused, or assaulted during the course of his/her employment.

b) Violence Policies and Procedures

In compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Employer(s) will ensure a policy is developed, in consultation with the Local of the Union and other Unions in the district/agency/facility, to address the prevention of violence, the management of violent situations and reduce the causal factors of violence and provide support to Employees who have faced violence. The policies and procedures shall be part of the Employer(s)' health and safety policy and written copies shall be posted in a place accessible to all Employees.

The policy and procedures may include, but not be limited to:

i) the provision of available information regarding a client's previous, actual or potential violent behaviour;

ii) incidents are investigated promptly, objectively and in a sensitive, confidential manner;

iii) provision for the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees to review the effectiveness of anti-violence policies at the local level;

iv) alternate options for care delivery are identified, considered and implemented.

v) Employees/Managers are provided with the education necessary for them to prevent violence, deal with it when it occurs, and know the procedure for reporting incidents. Education shall include:

causes of violence

recognition of warning signs

prevention of escalation

controlling and defusing aggressive situations; and

details of the Employer(s)' policies, measures and procedures to deal with violence and the availability of supportive counselling.

vi) security procedures are in place to summon assistance.

vii) the Employer(s) and the Local of the Union recognize that, where preventative measures have failed to prevent violent incidents, counseling and support must be available to help victims recover from such incidents.

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CUPE Health Care Workers' Council of Unions
3725E Eastgate Drive
Regina, Sask
S4X 1A5

Phone: 1-306-546-2185
Fax: 306-781-8177
Email: Gordon Campbell, President