Workplace Safety

Workplace Violence Prevention

Outsiders Inn is committed to providing a safe, violence-free workplace for our employees, volunteers and guests. Due to this commitment, we discourage employees, volunteers and guests from engaging in any physical confrontation with a violent or potentially violent individual or from behaving in a threatening or violent manner. Threats, threatening language, or any other acts of aggression or violence made toward or by any employee, volunteers or guests will not be tolerated. A threat may include any verbal or physical harassment or abuse, attempts to intimidate others, menacing gestures, stalking, or any other hostile, aggressive, and/or destructive actions taken for the purposes of intimidation. This policy covers any violent or potentially violent behavior that occurs in the workplace or at organization-sponsored functions.

All Outsiders Inn employees, volunteers and guests bear the responsibility of keeping our environment free from violence or potential violence. Any employee or volunteer who witnesses or is the recipient of violent behavior should promptly inform their shift supervisor or shelter director. All threats will be promptly investigated. No employees, volunteers or guests will be subject to retaliation, intimidation, or discipline as a result of reporting a threat in good faith under this guideline.

Any individual engaging in violence against the organization, its employees, volunteers, or its property will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. All acts will be investigated, and the appropriate action will be taken. Any such act or threatening behavior may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or removal from the program.

Outsiders Inn prohibits the possession of weapons on its program property at all times, including our parking lots. Additionally, while on duty, employees or volunteers may not carry a weapon of any type. Weapons include, but are not limited to, handguns, rifles, automatic weapons, and knives that can be used as weapons (excluding pocketknives, utility knives, and other instruments that are used to open packages, cut string, and for other miscellaneous work related tasks), martial arts paraphernalia, stun guns, and tear gas. Any employee or volunteer violating this policy is subject to discipline up to and including dismissal for the first offense.

Outsiders Inn reserves the right to inspect all belongings of employees, volunteers and guests on its premises, including packages, briefcases, purses and handbags, gym bags, and personal vehicles on shelter location property.  In addition, Outsiders Inn may inspect the contents of lockers, storage areas, file cabinets, desks, and work stations at any time and may remove all items that are in violation of rules and policies.

Commitment to Safety

Protecting the safety of our employees, volunteers and participants is the most important aspect of operating our programs.

All employees, volunteers and guests have the opportunity and responsibility to contribute to a safe environment by using commonsense rules and safe practices and by notifying management or staff when any health or safety issues are present. All employees, volunteers and guests are encouraged to partner together to ensure maximum safety for all.

In the event of an emergency, notify the appropriate emergency personnel by dialing 9 for an outside line, then dial 911 to activate the medical emergency, fire\site evacuation, alarms, etc.