California’s New Workplace Violence Standard: What Employers Need to Know and How to Prepare

California has passed SB 553 requiring that employers create and implement a Workplace Violence Prevention (WVP) Plan by July 1, 2024. The new law applies to practically all California employers, large and small – except for healthcare employers already covered under the existing healthcare WVP Standard.

Developing and implementing the Plan will be a significant undertaking for employers since the standard requires comprehensive multi-prong procedures including for identifying and evaluating unsafe conditions in the workplace, and reporting, responding to, and investigating workplace violence incidents. Employers must also conduct interactive training for employees that covers their tailored WVP Plans and the workplace violence hazards specific to their employees’ jobs.

In this webinar, we will cover the elements that must be incorporated into the Plan document and implemented, including:

• An assessment of workplace violence risks upon developing the Plan and periodic inspections thereafter
• Management communications with employees regarding workplace violence risks and how to respond to emergencies
• Post-incident response and investigation
• Procedures for reviewing the effectiveness of the plan and making revisions
• Topics required for annual interactive training of employees on workplace violence prevention
• Practical tips for implementing the Plan to comply with the new law and best protect your employees