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Workplace Violence / Safety

Posted
Updated
ByCognitive Organics

At Cognitive Organics, your safety and the safety of our clients is a core priority. Workplace violence and safety concerns can show up in many ways—verbal, emotional, or physical—and in both in-person and remote work.

This section explains what we mean by workplace violence, how to recognize early warning signs, what to do in escalating situations, and how to report incidents or concerns.

Our Commitment & Zero Tolerance

Cognitive Organics is committed to providing a workplace that is:

  • Physically safe
  • Emotionally respectful
  • Free from violence, harassment, and threats

We have zero tolerance for:

  • Threats, intimidation, or harassment
  • Verbal abuse, yelling, or degrading language
  • Physical assault or aggressive contact
  • Stalking, menacing behavior, or credible threats
  • Sexual harassment or unwanted physical contact

This applies to:

  • Staff
  • Clients
  • Family members
  • Visitors
  • Anyone interacting with our staff or within our work environments (including off-site and telehealth settings)

What is Workplace Violence?

Workplace violence includes any behavior that:

  • Threatens, attempts, or causes physical harm
  • Intimidates, harasses, or abuses another person
  • Creates a reasonable fear for personal safety

Examples include:

  • Yelling, name-calling, or verbally attacking staff or clients
  • Threatening statements (“I should hurt you / them,” “You’ll regret this,” “I know where you live”)
  • Throwing objects, slamming doors, damaging property
  • Unwanted physical contact, blocking someone’s exit, or getting in their personal space
  • Sexual comments, advances, or touching
  • Stalking, repeated unwanted contact, or following staff to or from the workplace

Workplace violence can occur:

  • In our physical sites (RHC, offices, shared spaces)
  • During home visits or field work
  • Over telehealth sessions or phone calls
  • Through messages, emails, or other remote channels

If a behavior makes you feel unsafe, threatened, or intimidated, take it seriously and use our safety procedures.

Recognizing Early Warning Signs

Not every escalation is immediately violent, but early signs can include:

  • Increasing agitation or irritability
  • Raised voice, pacing, clenched fists, or intense staring
  • Refusal to follow basic requests or boundaries
  • Blaming or threatening language toward staff or others
  • Expressions of wanting to harm self or others
  • Intoxication or impaired behavior in session or on-site

You are not expected to diagnose the situation perfectly, but you are expected to:

  • Notice when something feels “off” or unsafe
  • Trust your instincts and act to protect safety
  • Involve others (supervisor, leadership, or emergency services) when needed

Your Safety Comes First

You are never expected to:

  • Stay alone in a room or home with someone who is making you feel unsafe
  • Continue a session or visit if you feel at risk
  • “Tough it out” in a potentially dangerous situation

Your safety comes first. It is always appropriate to:

  • End or pause a session for safety reasons
  • Move to a safer location or exit the area
  • Ask for help from coworkers or leadership
  • Call 911 when there is an immediate threat

How to Respond in Escalating Situations (In-Person)

If you are in a physical clinic, office, or field setting and someone becomes aggressive or unsafe:

  1. Stay as calm as possible.
    • Use a calm voice and simple, clear language.
    • Avoid arguing or matching their intensity.
  2. Give clear, respectful boundaries.
    • “I want to help, but I can’t do that when you’re yelling.”
    • “We can continue this conversation if we can both speak calmly.”
  3. Create space and protect exits.
    • Position yourself so you can leave the room if needed.
    • Avoid blocking the person’s exit or cornering them.
  4. Seek help.
    • Use available safety tools (call buttons, phones, coworkers).
    • If you believe there is a risk of harm, call 911.
  5. End the interaction if necessary.
    • “I’m going to end this session for today and step out now.”
    • Leave the room/space if you feel unsafe.

After the event, follow our incident reporting process and notify your supervisor or designated leadership contact.

How to Respond in Escalating Situations (Telehealth & Remote Work)

Workplace violence and safety concerns can also show up in telehealth or remote sessions, such as:

  • Clients making threats against self or others
  • Aggressive or abusive language directed at you
  • Visible weapons, violence, or dangerous situations on camera
  • Stalking, repeated unwanted messages, or boundary violations

In telehealth/remote situations:

  1. Stay calm and set boundaries.
    • “I want to support you, but I can’t continue if you’re speaking to me this way.”
    • “I’m concerned about your safety based on what you’re saying.”
  2. Clarify location.
    • Confirm the client’s exact physical location (address) at the start of each session.
    • This is essential if emergency services are needed.
  3. Use your crisis and emergency protocols.
    • If there is an imminent risk, follow our emergency procedures (which may include calling 911 in the client’s area, contacting crisis services, or involving supports, according to policy and law).
  4. End the session for safety if needed.
    • “I’m going to end this call now for safety reasons. I’m concerned about you and will be taking steps to get you help.”
  5. Document and report.
    • Document what occurred factually.
    • Notify your supervisor and follow incident reporting procedures.

Your responsibility is to act in good faith to protect safety—never to handle a crisis alone.

Weapons, Drugs, and Illegal Activity

If you become aware of weapons, illegal drugs, or other illegal activity in a way that affects safety:

  • Prioritize removing yourself and others from immediate danger.
  • Follow our emergency procedures, including calling 911 if there is a direct threat.
  • Report the incident to your supervisor and leadership as soon as it is safe to do so.

Do not attempt to physically intervene in violent or criminal behavior. Focus on safety and reporting, not enforcement.

If You Experience or Witness Workplace Violence

If you experience or witness any act or threat of workplace violence:

  1. Get to safety first.
    • Leave the area or end the interaction if possible.
    • Check in with yourself and others involved.
  2. Notify leadership promptly.
    • Inform your supervisor and/or the designated safety/leadership contact.
    • If the situation involved an immediate threat or police response, this should be reported as soon as reasonably possible after the event.
  3. Complete an incident report.
    • Follow our incident/event reporting procedures.
    • Provide clear, factual information: what happened, who was involved, what you observed, and any actions taken.
  4. Seek support.
    • Workplace violence can be emotionally and physically distressing.
    • You are encouraged to access supervision, debriefing, or personal support as needed.

What You Can Expect From Leadership

When a workplace violence or serious safety incident is reported, leadership will:

  • Take your report seriously.
  • Prioritize safety for staff and clients.
  • Review what happened and respond according to policy and law (which may include contacting law enforcement, adjusting client services, or updating safety plans).
  • Consider whether additional safety measures, training, or environmental changes are needed.

You will not be punished for reporting safety concerns or incidents in good faith. We want to know when something feels unsafe so we can address it.

What This Means For You as Staff

In your daily work, honoring workplace violence and safety policies means you:

  • Take your own sense of safety seriously.
  • Notice early signs of escalation and respond calmly and appropriately.
  • Follow our emergency and crisis procedures, including involving 911 when needed.
  • Communicate clearly with your supervisor or leadership when something feels unsafe.
  • Use incident reporting whenever a significant safety concern, threat, or violent behavior occurs.
  • Support your coworkers by sharing relevant safety concerns and responding as a team.

Safety is a shared responsibility. You are not alone, and you are not expected to handle dangerous situations by yourself. Your role is to notice, respond in good faith, and communicate so we can keep improving our systems and support.

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