New UC Workplace Violence Prevention Plan and Training Requirement

This message was sent to all UC Berkeley faculty and staff. If you are a manager who supervises employees without computer access, please ensure this information is communicated to all.

September 18, 2024

Following the enactment of California law SB 553, UC Berkeley is introducing a Workplace Violence Prevention (WPVP) Plan. This plan is designed to protect you and everyone on campus by clearly outlining what constitutes prohibited conduct, including any act or threat of violence that occurs in the workplace. Our WPVP Plan includes specific procedures, roles, and responsibilities, as well as mandatory training to equip you with the knowledge needed to recognize and respond to potential signs of workplaceviolence. It also provides clear measures for reporting and recording incidents so that we can respond promptly and effectively. All faculty, staff, temporary employees, student employees, and third parties must comply with the plan when they are engaged in university programs or activities. 

Requirements for Employees

Complete Workplace Violence Prevention Training

We ask that you complete the Workplace Violence Prevention training as part of your commitment to keeping our community safe. This training will help you understand how to identify potential risks and the appropriate steps to take if you encounter any form of workplace violence.

This is an annual training requirement for employees and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. If you have questions about the training or why you were assigned the training, please contact ehstrain@berkeley.edu.

Understand Reporting Obligations and Supportive Measures

Acts of violence or threats of violence will not be tolerated at UC Berkeley. If you ever witness or experience such conduct, please report it immediately so we can provide the necessary support and take swift action.

  • To report an immediate threat of violence, call UCPD by dialing 911 from any campus phone or (510) 642-3333 from a cell phone.

  • To file a Workplace Violence Incident Report, review the reporting procedures on the EH&S website and use the UC Workplace Violence Online Reporting tool

Reporting enables prompt support for the affected individuals to maintaina safe environment. Under the WPVP Plan, all employees and students are protected from retaliation for filing a report.

The new Workplace Violence Prevention Plan does not change existing procedures for reporting various types of incidents. For example, imminent threats of violence should be reported through UCPD; sexual violence and sexual harassment/discrimination should be reported through OPHD. Incidents involving abusive conduct should be reported to the People & Culture.

Resources and Additional Information

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the specific procedures, roles, and responsibilities, in the new WPVP Plan and the required Workplace Violence Prevention training.  Understanding and participating in these measures is crucial for building and maintaining a safe campus environment. For questions and comments, or to report a concern, please refer to the EH&S website or email wpvp@berkeley.edu.

Learn more about Workplace Violence Prevention

California state law requires every employer to establish, implement, and maintain an effective Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (California Labor Code, Section 6401.9). Consistent with its legal obligations, UC Berkeley is committed to providing a safe learning and work environment that is free from threats and acts of violence.


Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) is the responsible department for
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Thank you for taking the time to read this announcement and for doing your part in making our university a safe place to learn and work.