Stated Threats
One of the most important behaviors that employees should recognize and report are stated threats of violence. Stated threats, whether direct or indirect, express an emotional, sexual, psychological, or economic message of future danger, and they require early action for intervention.
The ASIS International and the Society for Human Resources Management Workplace Violence Prevention and Intervention Standard describes three different types of stated threats:
- A direct threat – “I’m going to kill you!”
- An indirect threat – “I’m going to make sure that you get what you deserve!”
- A conditional threat – “If he fires me, I will kill him!”
Stated threats should be reported whether they are direct or indirect so that they don’t escalate and cause a greater risk of harm to faculty, staff, students, and the community. Johns Hopkins takes all stated threats seriously whether or not they are intended as a figure of speech.
- If you sense something, say something! Talk with your supervisor, manager, human resources, academic advisor or chair if a person or situation makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Share the events you observed and how they impacted your job or academic responsibilities. It may be important to note patterns and frequencies of behaviors.
-
Submit a report to Safe at Hopkins. Complete the Report Disruptive Behavior online form if you observe or experience behaviors of concern, such as bullying, stalking, domestic violence or acts of violence.
- If at any time you are concerned for your safety and require an immediate response, contact Security or dial 911.
Johns Hopkins will not permit employment-based retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, brings a complaint of workplace violence or who speaks as a witness in the investigation of a complaint of workplace violence.
Johns Hopkins Continuum of Disruptive Behaviors at Work
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 and Rude 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.
Development of the Continuum and Actions Associated with Behaviors
Informed by workplace bullying research, Safe at Hopkins examined risk-oriented conduct to 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. Examples for each category of disruptive behavior emerged as part of ongoing research on disruptive behaviors at work.
