On February 18, 2025, UPE met and conferred with the County of Merced Department of Agriculture. This meeting was held regarding the Department’s proposed Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP) addendums A & B and their potential impacts on employees for that Department.
The WVPP is designed to establish clear protocols for preventing and managing workplace violence incidents by 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, conducting regular training, and proactively identifying hazards, were discussed to reflect the commitment to employee safety. Areas of concern and safety protocols were discussed, including parking lots, building access, field assignments, employee-only access doors, cashier and money handling, bomb threats, civil disturbances, active shooter situations, incoming mail, and arson. The plan will be reviewed quarterly and updated as needed, with UPE involved in discussions if any changes are made. Members can also report incidents anonymously through an anonymous safety suggestion box placed in the department office.
UPE proposed, and it was agreed, to strengthen the policy on cashier and money handling by adding language that prioritizes employee safety. In cases where an individual attempts to steal money, employees should flee if possible. Additionally, if an employee is transporting money and faces an attempted robbery or direct threat, they are permitted to drop the money or county valuables and flee to ensure their safety. Further, UPE proposed and secured the inclusion of language to mention Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources at the end of Addendum A, ensuring employees are aware of the support services available to them. These resources will assist employees who have experienced traumatic events, helping them cope with any emotional or psychological effects following an incident.
UPE WOULD LIKE TO THANK KRISTEN ZDANOWSKI, UPE MERCED COUNTY UNIT 3 GOVERNING BOARD, FOR HER ADVOCACY AND PARTICIPATION.
