UPE met with Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services on June 3, 2025, regarding the proposed policy for the workplace violence prevention program, specifically addendums A and B. The Addendum helps ensure work areas are secure from workplace violence hazards, while B is an inspection form to help ensure the procedures are being done. The WVPP covers areas of concern, such as, but not limited to, parking lots, Building Access, Employee-Only Access Doors, Cashier/Money Handling, Incoming Mail, Bomb Threats, Civil Disturbances, Field Assignments, Active Shooter, and Arson.
UPE was encouraged to see during the meet and confer that the County and departments had incorporated prior proposals made by UPE in past meetings with other departments. These included adding notifications about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and workers' compensation resources to WVPP training. Areas of concern, such as arson and active shooter situations, were also addressed. During the meet and confer, UPE proposed, and it was accepted, that hardcopy materials, like bomb threat checklists, be made available at employee workstations so staff can quickly access them in the event of an emergency. Notably, Human Resources prefers that WVPP incident reports include the name of the employee making the report. However, the departments have confirmed they will also accept anonymous reports through whistleblower email or anonymous envelopes if the reporting employee chooses to remain anonymous. UPE cares deeply about the safety and well-being of its members and hopes these policies will help protect them in the workplace.
UPE WOULD LIKE TO THANK UPE MERCED COUNTY UNIT 3 GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS LISA SYKES FOR THEIR ADVOCACY AND PARTICIPATION.
