Policy: 5012

Section: 5000 - Personnel

Title: Domestic Violence

Status: Active

Adopted: May 30, 2013

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Domestic Violence

Ferndale School District is committed to promoting the health and safety of its employees and maintaining a workplace that is free from violence or threats of violence. The specific purpose of this policy is to protect the safety of all domestic violence victims and their co-workers.

Domestic violence refers to: physical bodily harm, bodily injury, assault or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, between family or household members; sexual assault of one family or household member by another; and/or stalking of one family or household member by another family or household member, as defined in the Washington Criminal Code (RCW 9A.46.110).

Family or household member means: spouses, registered domestic partners, former spouses, or former registered domestic partners; persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time; adult persons related by blood or marriage; adult persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past; persons sixteen (16) years of age or older who presently have or have had dating relationship; and persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship, including stepparents and stepchildren and grandparents and grandchildren.

Ferndale School District does not penalize or discipline employees because they are, or have been, victims of domestic violence. The district will make reasonable efforts to provide support and assistance for staff who are affected by domestic violence.

The Ferndale School District does not tolerate domestic violence in the workplace, including offices, facilities, work sites, vehicles or other locations where business is conducted. Domestic violence perpetrators may be removed from the premises and may be subject to arrest and/or criminal prosecution. Staff who engage in domestic violence in the workplace or who use the district’s facilities, property or resources (including but not limited to using workplace phones, computers, fax machines, and/or vehicles, or paid workplace time) to engage in domestic violence are subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Corrective or disciplinary action may also be taken against employees who are convicted or issued an injunction as a result of domestic violence when such action has a direct connection to their job duties. Criminal prosecution may result if federal, state or local laws are violated.

All staff of Ferndale School District are encouraged to promote a safe workplace that is free of violence and threats of violence by immediately reporting threats, acts of aggression, or acts of violence in the workplace to their supervisor, law enforcement agencies, and/or the Human Resources department.

Ferndale School District encourages staff who are perpetrators of domestic violence to seek assistance and will make reasonable efforts to provide the following:

1. Referrals to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
2. Information about certified domestic violence perpetrator treatment programs.
3. Work schedule arrangements to permit receipt of such assistance.

Cross References:      

Policy 5203  Staff Assistance Program

Policy 5403  Emergency and Discretionary Leaves

 

Adoption Date:  05.30.13

Ferndale School District

Revised: 09.30.14