RIT Workplace Violence Prevention and Response Standards

The RIT Workplace Violence Prevention and Response Standards (“The Standards”) applies to all members of the RIT workplace community including faculty, staff, students, guests, and contractors.  

Rochester Institute of Technology (“RIT”) is committed to providing an environment that is safe and secure and one that promotes learning and productive employment. RIT does not tolerate violence of any type, including expressed or implied threats of violence. Violence can lead to safety risks for everyone, absenteeism, and lost productivity. Even when incidents take place online or off campus, these concerns often follow and have an adverse impact on the entire community. 

Each member of the RIT community shares responsibility for creating and maintaining a civil and respectful workplace, free from all forms of threatening and violent behavior. The purpose of these Standards is to provide a framework for identifying, reporting, and addressing concerning behaviors that impact the workplace.

1. “Concerning Workplace Behaviors” means any acts of physical violence, expressed or implied threats of violence, including inappropriate aggression or intimidation, which may harm others or disrupt operations. Common examples include but are not limited to: 

• Acts of violence that intentionally cause physical injury to another or self 

• Intentionally damaging property 

• Displaying or utilizing a weapon in a manner not required by the individual's official duties  

• Physically threatening, intimidating, sabotaging and/or obstructing others 

• Attempting to instill fear of physical injury or harm in others 

• References to planning a violent or destructive event or harming others 

• Encouraging or assisting any of the above-referenced activities  

Gender-based violence may also constitute Concerning Workplace Behaviors when it involves actual or threatened physical harm, such as stalking, sexual violence, or other conduct that creates a reasonable fear for an individual’s physical safety in the workplace. Conduct that does not pose a physical safety risk, but raises concerns of harassment, discrimination, or hostile environment is addressed under separate university policies and procedures.  

1. Threat Assessment Team (“TAT”) is a multi-disciplinary committee responsible for developing and implementing strategies and corrective action plans to address Concerning Workplace Behaviors. The TAT also coordinates community education and communication about Concerning Workplace Behaviors. The TAT is chaired by Public Safety and committee members include representatives from Human Resources, Office of Organizational Resilience, Academic Affairs, the Office of Legal Affairs, a medical expert, and a member of the Office of Compliance and Ethics as needed. 

RIT will respond promptly to reported threats, acts of violence, and other Concerning Workplace Behaviors.  Anyone who experiences, observes, has knowledge of, or perceives an imminent act or threat of violence, or other Concerning Workplace Behaviors, should immediately contact Public Safety at (585) 475-3333 (voice) or (585) 205-8333 (text) call 9-1-1. Reports involving gender-based violence should be referred to the New York State Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline.  

Employees are also encouraged to alert their supervisor and/or Human Resources if they experience or observe Concerning Workplace Behaviors. 

Reports of Concerning Workplace Behaviors will be referred to the TAT for an initial review and assessment pursuant to RIT’s Threat Assessment and Management Process. The initial review and assessment will consider the report’s context, circumstances, and content to determine appropriate next steps. Public Safety will engage campus partners as appropriate. 

Violations will be addressed in accordance with the applicable disciplinary or remedial policies and procedures governing staff, faculty, and students.  

Reports of Concerning Workplace Behaviors will be addressed with care and with a thorough review, assessment, and response. Information will be shared only with individuals who have a legitimate need to know to assess the concern, ensure safety, determine appropriate next steps, and resolve the matter, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as university policy. While confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, RIT makes reasonable efforts to protect the privacy of individuals involved. 

Retaliation against any individual who makes a good-faith report of Concerning Workplace Behavior, or any other university policy, procedure, law or regulation, or against any individual who participates in an investigation, audit, inquiry, or legal proceeding related thereto is strictly prohibited.  Any member of the RIT community who has been found to take retaliatory action against another who reported Concerning Workplace Behavior will be subject to discipline.   

These Standards in no way limit the lawful authority of any local, state or federal law enforcement agent to take lawful action to protect the safety of the RIT community. 

Internal and external resources are available to anyone impacted by Concerning Workplace Behaviors. A list of Support Services can be found at Support Services | Compliance & Ethics | RIT.  In addition, individuals experiencing gender-based violence are encouraged to contact the NYS Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906. Text 844-997-2121 or chat at opdv.ny.gov. 

Other resources also include: https://www.monroecounty.gov/da-assistance