Purpose of this Policy

The purpose of this policy is to set out MAK Integrated Services Limited policy and procedures to prevent, manage and respond to work-related violence. Management supports this policy and we will not tolerate any instances of work-related violence, including verbal abuse, to our staff. No member of staff will be blamed for an instance of work-related violence caused by a customer or member of the public. All employees have the right to be treated with consideration, dignity and respect.

This policy applies to all staff working on our premises, including door supervisors, contractors and delivery personnel.

Definition of Work-Related Violence

MAK Integrated Services Limited define work-related violence as: any incident in which an employee is abused, threatened or assaulted by a member of the public in circumstances arising out of the course of his/her employment. This is based on the Health and Safety Executive’s definition.

Responsibilities of Staff and Managers

These relate to all members of staff, including door supervisors and other personnel who work on these premises, or have responsibilities relating to them.

Managers

All managers have a responsibility to implement this policy and to make sure their staff are aware of it and understand it. Managers should also:

  • Treat any reports of work-related violence, threats or abuse seriously and

respond to them promptly.

  • Record details of the incident where appropriate and give all employees involved in the incident full support during the whole process

  • Respond and consider seriously any suggestions made by staff about how to improve violence prevention and management, and give feedback to staff about their suggestions, including whether it will be taken forward and if not, why not.

  • Set a positive example by reporting all incidents of violence and abuse and not tolerating abusive behavior from customers and members of the public. Make sure you also offer good customer service and follow specific policies.

  • Respond to and, where possible, resolve incidents, ideally before they escalate.

  • Monitor incidences of violence and abuse and initiate appropriate action if more measures are needed.

  • Review and amend this policy and the risk assessment as necessary.

  • Where possible, direct staff to appropriate support and advice after an incident has occurred.

  • Encourage other staff members to support their colleagues, including those that might have witnessed the incident.

  • If victims are particularly traumatised by the event, provide support where possible, such as time off work or changes to their tasks.

  • If an investigation is needed, work with the police and offer any assistance needed to help in their enquiries.

  • Managers have a responsibility to act in a way that does not incite or increase the likelihood of violence.

  • Any manager found to be encouraging or inciting violence or not resolving potentially violent or abusive situations may be subject to disciplinary action.

Staff

All staff have personal responsibility for their own behaviour and for ensuring that they comply with this policy.

There are a number of things that staff can do to help prevent work-related violence:

  • Be aware of MAK Integrated Services Limited’s policy and comply with it, including specific policies on aspects such as the sale of alcohol or excluding customers.

  • Offer good customer service and be aware of customer needs.

  • Recognise the potential for work-related violence and take action to resolve it early on.

  • Staff should take positive action and, for example, contact a manager if they think a customer or member of the public might cause problems.

  • Don’t accept instances of work-related violence directed towards you or others. Staff should report any instances of violence, threats or abuse, including any details about when it happened, who was involved and any relevant circumstances that may have contributed to the incident.

  • Serious incidents should be reported in the incident book kept in the manager’s office but minor incidents and incidents of verbal abuse should be reported to managers as they occur.

  • Be supportive of colleagues who are victims or witnessed work-related violence. Suggest additional measures to managers which might help to prevent and manage work-related violence.

  • Staff have a responsibility to act in a way that does not incite or increase the likelihood of violence.

  • Any staff member found to be encouraging or inciting violence may be subject to disciplinary action.

  • Staff and managers should also work with trade unions, where relevant, in preventing, addressing, reporting and responding to incidents or work-related violence.

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments for individual sites allow for violence in the workplace

The risk assessments were conducted by the senior manager and are reviewed

every year, unless an increase in the number of incidents suggests the assessment should be reviewed more frequently.

The risks were assessed by talking to staff, reviewing the incident book and considering the work environment and job design. If staff believe a risk factor has not been covered by the assessment or have ideas on further prevention measures, they should discuss these with their manager. The contents of the risk assessment will be communicated to all staff and appropriate training will be given.

Prevention and Management Measures

There are a number of measures in place following the risk assessment that staff should be aware of. These fall under the areas of work environment, working practices and training.

Work Environment

We take every precaution to reduce the likelihood of violence occurring, in some high risk locations CCTV may be installed to help protect our staff

Training

The following training should be provided:

  • All staff, including new staff, should receive awareness training on work-related violence, our policy and procedures, how to prevent work-related violence, reporting procedures and what to do following an incident. This may be through formal training or a briefing from managers, depending on the risk potential for the staff members.

  • Managers will be trained as above, as well as on how to handle complaints and trouble among customers effectively.

  • All security staff will have completed SIA training which includes conflict management and dynamic risk assessment.

Actions Following An Incident

If a staff member is being abused, threatened or attacked, they should approach their manager or a colleague for help. Managers should respond to the situation by talking to the perpetrator, explaining that their behavior is not acceptable. They should try to resolve the problem and, if that is not possible, call security for assistance. Security will remove the person where required.

Medical assistance should be provided immediately where required. The police should be informed of a serious incident involving physical attack or serious cases of threatening or verbal abuse. Police should also be informed of persistent cases of violence, threats and abuse.

CCTV discs of incidents should be kept in case the police need them. All incidents should be recorded in the incident book and less serious incidents reported to managers.

Staff members will be encouraged to provide support to any victims or witnesses of violence, threats or abuse through appropriate training, and managers should provide support, including, where needed, allowing time off work for individuals to recover.