Department of Probation: Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP)
On October 23, 2024, UPE met with the County of Merced Department of Probation regarding the Department’s proposed Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP) addendums and their potential impacts on employees for that department.
The WVPP is designed to establish clear protocols for preventing and managing workplace violence incidents, outlining essential procedures for incident reporting, training, and communication to ensure a safe working environment for all employees. Key elements, such as maintaining incident logs, regular training, and proactive hazard identification, reflect the Department’s commitment to fostering a safe workplace while ensuring compliance with California’s legal standards for employee safety. UPE requested clarity regarding response times following the submission of workplace violence incident forms. The Department added additional language committing to prompt responses, as well as the commitment to sharing outcomes with employees as soon as practicable.
UPE also emphasized the importance of post-incident support, recommending the addition of structured debriefing sessions and referencing of support resources such as access to Employee Assistance Programs for employees who may require further assistance following such incidents. The Department has agreed to include provisions for post-incident debriefings and references to appropriate support resources for members if applicable. Additionally, UPE expressed concern regarding the efficiency of emergency communication protocols for critical situations, such as active shooter incidents. The Department disclosed plans to explore the possible use of “SimpleTexting” or a similar system to facilitate rapid mass communication via text messages to employees’ disclosed or county-issued mobile devices. We are encouraged by this initiative and look forward to updates, as it represents prompt communication during emergencies when timeliness is of the utmost importance.
UPE believes the agreed modifications will enhance the WVPP’s effectiveness and responsiveness. We extend our thanks to the Department for its cooperation and responsiveness in addressing our members’ needs and look forward to continued collaboration to ensure a safe and supportive work environment for all county employees.
UPE would like to thank Lisa Sykes and Carmelita Rodriguez, Unit 3 Governing Board members, for their advocacy and participation.
