Safe at Hopkins
www.safeathopkins.org
The Risk Assessment Process
There is increasing pressure on all workplaces to assess certain behaviors, language, attitudes and gestures that may appear intimidating, harassing, threatening or unsafe to others. These situations are often quite complex and difficult to understand. Because the University, Hospital and Health System are committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure work environment for all faculty, staff, employees, students, patients and visitors, the Risk Assessment Team (RATeam) is available upon request from management to assist in understanding certain types of conduct at work.
The Risk Assessment Team (RATeam) - - a multidisciplinary group made up of representatives from Human Resources and/or the Deans’ Office, General Counsel, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program and Security - - assists management in determining if certain behaviors indicate that someone is "at risk" for violating policies that address violence in the workplace and/or becoming violent or indicate conduct that interferes with a safe, healthy and secure work environment. Typically, the best way to assist management in protecting the safety of all involved is to conduct a comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment of risk.
The effectiveness of the Risk Assessment process is centered around the interactive and complementary expertise and functioning of the RATeam as a whole. The RATeam provides support, recommendations and guidance to management.
RATeam Responsibilities
Human Resources (HR) and/or the appropriate Deans’ Office (for JHU) provides guidance to the RATeam on issues of policy interpretation and best practices, as well as guidance and support to managers of faculty, staff or employees involved in incidents of workplace violence or incidents that interfere with a safe, healthy and secure work environment.
HR/Deans’ Office orients and guides management through the Risk Assessment process and performs (or coordinates) a detailed fact-finding investigation with all parties involved (participants, witnesses, supervisors, others, etc). As the primary liaison between management and the RATeam, HR/Deans’ Office maintains regular contact with management, provides policy interpretation/guidance to the RATeam and assists management in evaluating and implementing recommended action(s).
The Security Offices, upon notification, may be dispatched to the location of occurrence or as otherwise requested to secure the area, determine potential threat level, separate individuals, and/or ensure necessary medical attention is provided. Individuals may be detained and/or escorted off campus by security personnel and/or the local Police Department. Security gathers as much information possible from all individuals involved including witnesses. When deemed necessary and practical to do so, separate fact-finding interviews are conducted.
When indicated, security conducts a detailed investigation. They collect all tangible evidence and interview individuals involved, including witnesses. In criminal cases, investigators also function as the liaison with the local Police Department for the completion of the appropriate reports, the District Court Commissioner’s Office for the acquisition of criminal summons or warrants, and the States Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Security may monitor the area, post an officer in the area, offer safety escort services, etc.
Security offers guidance and expertise to the RATeam on issues relevant to law enforcement and/or personal safety matters.
The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP) provides consultation to the RATeams regarding human behavior and mental health issues. When requested to do so by the RATeam, FASAP conducts clinical assessments of individuals involved in incidents that come before the RATeams.
The FASAP assessment consists of four parts: o Psychological Testing: The individual involved is asked to complete psychological tests or questionnaires which help the FASAP clinician better understand the individual, his/her recent and past life stressors, and the present situation. It is essential that the individual answer these questions as openly and honestly as possible; failing to do so will limit the FASAP clinician's ability to make an accurate assessment, and this may affect the RATeam's recommendations.
o Clinical Interview: The FASAP clinician gathers relevant information to understand the behaviors that precipitated the referral for evaluation. During this clinical interview, the individual will be asked questions about his/her behavior, language or gestures as well as background information such as personal information, family history, medical history and work history.
o Follow-Up: Following the RATeam meeting, the FASAP clinician may follow-up with the individual regarding any recommendations for continued evaluation or treatment.
The Office of the General Counsel provides legal guidance and counsel to the RATeam. The appropriate General Counsel's office participates in initial communications among the RATeam. The General Counsel's office provides counsel to the RATeam and advises management about legal risks posed by the situation under review, including safety of patients and co-workers, risk to property, applicable state and federal laws and regulations, other regulatory requirements, and University or Health System policies.
Risk Assessment Process
Following the completion of these information-gathering assessments and evaluations, the RATeam meets with management to recommend a course of action based on the information obtained during the Risk Assessment process. However, at anytime following an incident, if circumstances warrant, the individual(s) involved with the incident may be disciplined, suspended, or terminated.
When there is an alleged workplace hostility incident involving individuals from different Hopkins affiliates, there may be cause to conduct separate or joint Risk Assessments depending on the circumstances. The RATeams will meet jointly to make recommendations for all parties involved. The respective managers from each affiliate will make their decisions based upon their own set of policies, practices and precedents.
At every point throughout the Risk Assessment process, all parties involved should feel free to ask questions and/or raise concerns.
Appointment Slip
This form can be used when scheduling Risk Assessment evaluation appointments with a FASAP clinician.
Individuals should arrive 5-10 minutes prior to the scheduled appointments to review forms and complete paperwork. For directions to the FASAP offices, please visit www.fasap.org or call 443-287-7000 or 443-997-7000.
Union-represented employees should arrange to have a shop steward present for the first few minutes of the initial FASAP appointment during which the Risk Assessment Agreement will be explained and signed.
If for any reason the appointments must be canceled and/or rescheduled, please contact the FASAP office immediately at 443-287-7000 or 443-997-7000.
ver: Risk Assessment Process 2006-09-19 final
© 2006 The Johns Hopkins University.
Baltimore, Maryland. All rights reserved.
o Initial Consultation: FASAP works with management and/or HR/Deans’ Office to schedule two evaluation appointments: psychological testing and a clinical interview. During this initial phase, FASAP reviews all information gathered about the incident. In the first session with the employee, the FASAP clinician provides a brief orientation to the Risk Assessment process and reviews relevant consent forms.
Risk Assessment Evaluation @ FASAP
(Employee Name)
(FASAP Clinician)
(Date)
(Time)
(Indicate scheduled location):
O 550 Building, Suite 507
O 550 Building, Suite 403
O Eastern High School, Suite C-100
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Last updated 19Sep06 by mheitt@jhu.edu