Policy and Procedure
Queen’s University is committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment in which all members of the university community may live, work and study. As part of this commitment, Queen’s University seeks to maintain a workplace environment that is free of all forms of violence, including Workplace, Domestic/Intimate Partner, and Sexual Violence. In support of this commitment, the university has a workplace violence policy.
To support that policy, the workplace violence procedure outlines the steps for managing incidents or risks of workplace violence on university property and in university workplaces. The procedure also outlines elements of the workplace violence program required under the OHSA.
Assistance and Reporting
When an employee feels a violent situation is occurring or is likely to occur, it is important to not ignore the signs and seek assistance. Depending on the situation, assistance can be sought through the following means:
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Immediate Assistance
In the event of an active violent situation or immediate threat of violence that requires external intervention (e.g., active shooter, armed intruder a suspicious package, an email containing a detailed threat of an imminent violent action), call 911 and Campus Security and Emergency Services (CSES). CSES and/or the Kingston Police will coordinate an immediate response.
CSES can be reached in the following ways:
- Call the 24-hour Emergency Report Centre at ext. 36111 or 613-533-6111;
- Activate one of the Blue Light Emergency Poles or Emergency Phones on campus; and/or
- Activate the emergency call button in the SeQure App
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Non-Immediate Assistance
If there is no immediate emergency, but there is reason to believe the safety of the community could be threatened or the work environment could be disrupted, alert CSES as soon as possible, including outside of normal business hours, through the 24-hour Emergency Report Centre at 613-533-6111.
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Work Refusal Process
Employees have a right to refuse work or do particular work where the worker has reason to believe that workplace violence is likely to endanger them. For more information on the work refusal process, employees should review the Department of Environmental Health & Safety website (Refusal To Work).
Workplace Violence Risk Mitigations
A significant element of the University's workplace violence prevention program is the various mitigation strategies that employees use to reduce the risk that violence will occur on campus. Mitigation strategies are classified into the broad categories of physical, procedural, and behavioural security measures.
- Design for Security and Safety - Queen's University employs Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED), which is a crime prevention theory that reduces the opportunity for crime to occur in an environment and promotes positive interaction with spaces by legitimate users through natural crime prevention strategies. CSES has several CPTED-trained staff.
- Campus Patrols - CSES provides a 24/7 security presence and emergency response that helps to maintain a safe and secure working, learning, and living environment. The CSES website provides detailed information on the services provided to the campus.
- Access Control Information - Access to the building is controlled by the individual building manager. Each building has persons assigned that can add, remove, or restrict access to the building. CSES can override any of the central access control buildings (such as the majority of Facilities-managed buildings) but does not operate the local access control systems (such as Stauffer and Douglas Libraries or Residences).
- Blue Lights and Emergency Phones - The campus has an extensive network of Blue Light Emergency Phones and assistance phones on campus that not only act as a deterrent to crime on campus but also allow the university community to quickly access the help of CSES. Information on the phones and the locations of blue phones on campus can be found on the CSES website's Services page.
- Campus Lighting, etc. - Campus Lighting is reviewed regularly, through Facilities projects, CPTED audits, and daily CSES patrols. CSES regularly patrols the campus in the nighttime hours and makes note of lighting issues that need to be addressed for repair or replacement, these issues are then provided to Facilities Control for remediation.
- Central and Local CCTV Cameras - There are a number of centrally-managed and local CCTV systems throughout campus. These are typically updated on a project basis or as requirements change or are identified. Areas with CCTV installations will have signs posted at the entry points. CCTV is recorded for a limited time period.
- ENS Emergency Notification System - A public address system using a siren signal followed by voice instructions will alert the campus community to take shelter and if safe to do so, check one of the current Emergency Notification platforms for information and instructions. More information on the ENS and the messages that can be broadcast is available on the CSES webpage.
- Queen's University Emergency Response Plan - In the event of a significant event involving violence, the University’s Emergency Response Plan will be used to help respond and mitigate the effects of the incident. The University’s Plan can be reviewed at Emergency Management Plan | Office of Risk and Safety Services (queensu.ca).
- SeQure App for safety-related information.
- Lone Worker Program - CSES offers a lone work program for those that are working alone at night or after hours. Information on the Lone Worker Program is available on the Services page. There is also a work-alone feature on the SeQure app that allows individuals to automatically monitor any notifications.
- Walkhome Program - The AMS Walkhome and the CSES Safe Walk programs are available for those that wish to have an escort when traveling on campus after dark or after hours. Related information is available on the Services page.
- Cash Handling Procedures - CSES can assist in reducing the risk associated with theft due to cash handling, the presence or storage of valuables, etc. through the creation of procedures.
- Online Harassment and Cyberbullying - If you are experiencing online harassment or cyberbullying, please contact CSES at 613-533-6111. More information is available on the Human Rights and Equity webpage.
Everyone can play a part in keeping the campus safe and secure. The following are some of the things that you can incorporate into your routines to help prevent workplace violence.
- Being aware of one's surroundings
- Watching for piggybacking through controlled access points
- Locking office doors etc.
- Keeping doors closed and removing anything that has them propped open
- Contact CSES if you see anything suspicious.
- Keeping emergency contact lists updated annually through CSES.
- A full list of safety tips to help the university community protect yourself and others is available at Safety Tips | Office of Risk and Safety Services
Information and Instruction
SeQure App – The SeQure mobile app provides quick access to campus security and safety information. Information on the app and instructions for downloading are available at SeQure App | Office of Risk and Safety Services.
Training Information – Information related to the updated training will soon be made available.