Disruptive Behaviors
All members of the Johns Hopkins community have a responsibility to behave professionally and foster a safe environment, whether you just started your time at Johns Hopkins, have moved up the ranks, or are in a leadership role. Professionalism can be defined as: each individual taking responsibility for his or her personal choices, decisions, and actions that consistently demonstrate respect, integrity, dignity, and ethical character to others.
You may notice a range of disruptive behaviors such as inappropriate actions and disrespectful behavior targeted at another person in the workplace. Safe at Hopkins developed the Johns Hopkins Continuum of Disruptive Behaviors at Work to serve as a tool for identifying and talking about behaviors that are no longer professional—disruptive behaviors.
Through the use of the continuum, general awareness materials, training, and this website, Safe at Hopkins is a proactive approach to support individuals impacted by concerning behaviors in the workplace and to prevent these behaviors from escalating.
Johns Hopkins Continuum of Disruptive Behaviors at Work
The Continuum of Disruptive Behaviors at Work includes nine categories of concerning behavior. Behaviors on the left side of the continuum should be considered within the context of the work or academic environment. If you are concerned about behaviors that might escalate into violence, talk with your supervisor, human resources/labor relations, or your academic advisor or chair. Share with him or her the events you observed and how they impacted your job or academic responsibilities. It may be important to note patterns and frequencies of behaviors.
Inappropriate Behaviors
Inappropriate behavior is often seen as the way a person “broadcasts” him or herself. When inappropriate behavior is not managed, one may push the limits and become disruptive. Some specific actions include: making rude, loud, and off-colored remarks, telling degrading jokes, and swearing in public.
Disrespectful Behavior
Disrespectful behavior is more hostile than inappropriate behavior and is usually aimed directly at another person. Some specific actions include: criticizing or dismissing achievements, degrading others, and shouting.
Mild Bullying
Johns Hopkins has defined workplace bullying as repeated mistreatment of a person that may result in harm to one’s health and that takes one or more of the following forms: verbal abuse; offensive conduct/behaviors that are threatening, intimidating, or humiliating; or interference that prevents work from getting done.
Mild bullying includes the behaviors defined above which are aimed directly at another person. Some specific actions are denying access to necessary information, creating isolation, and giving the silent treatment.
Moderate to Severe Bullying
Johns Hopkins has defined workplace bullying as repeated mistreatment of a person that may result in harm to one’s health and that takes one or more of the following forms: verbal abuse; offensive conduct/behaviors that are threatening, intimidating, or humiliating; or interference that prevents work from getting done.
Moderate to severe bullying includes the behaviors of mild bullying with increased frequency and personalization of mistreatment. Some specific actions are starting gossip campaigns about a person’s character, falsely accusing someone of errors, imposing impossible deadlines, and retaliating for perceived wrongs.
Stalking
Stalking involves individuals who harass, follow, or give unwanted attention and gifts. Specific actions include: a pattern of repeated unwanted, intrusive, and frightening communication by phone, email, text, or social media.
Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence
Domestic/intimate partner violence occurs when one partner uses physical violence, intimidation, threats, or emotional, sexual, or economic abuse to control the other partner. Because the controlling partner can easily locate the victim at work, domestic violence can create a workplace safety concern.
Stated Threats
Stated threats express an emotional, sexual, psychological, or economic message of future danger. Specific actions include: a direct threat – I’m going to kill you; an indirect threat – I’m going to make sure that you get what you deserve; or a conditional threat – If he fires me, I will kill him.
Physical Violence
Violence is any action that threatens the safety of employees, residents, students, or patients; impacts their physical or psychological well-being; or causes damage to the institutions’ property.
Serious Injury and Harm
Serious injury and harm can involve the use of weapons, necessary medical attention, and homicide.
Carlstrom, M., Meadowcroft, K. & Rammacca, J. (2013) Johns Hopkins University and Health System. All rights reserved.
Brochures depicting the continuum and information about preventing disruptive behaviors at work from escalating are available for download or in hard copy.
General Awareness Brochure for Employees
Development of the Continuum and Actions Associated with Behaviors
Informed by workplace bullying research, Safe at Hopkins examined risk-oriented conduct seen in previous Johns Hopkins workplace violence cases to catalog and define precipitating behaviors across a spectrum. This work led to the Johns Hopkins Continuum of Disruptive Behaviors at Work which anchors the early intervention work of Safe at Hopkins. Lists of specific actions for each category of behavior emerged as part of ongoing research on disruptive behaviors at work. Awareness of these specific actions, or definitions, brings understanding and consistency to discussing the behaviors on the continuum.