Creepy Guy at Work? New Utah Law Can Fix That!

Holy Moly! Did you know that you can get a protective order against a co-worker??? Guy or Gal!

As reported by 4ABC, Workplace Violence Protective Orders (H.B. 324)
H.B. 324 provides employees greater protections with the creation of the workplace violence protective order. The order, which can be requested by an employer, requires a court to take certain actions to protect employees in the workplace. Much like any protective order, a workplace violence protective order comes with additional penalties if violated. It can be requested if an employer suspects or knows there will be bodily injury to themselves or an employee or significant damage to property at the workplace. A violation of a workplace violence protective order is considered to be a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and up to $2,500 in fine.

What does that mean????

It means that your workplace can help you out with a restraining order against a creepy co-worker! Not sure why they just wouldn't be fired though.

Here's a hypothetical scenario to illustrate how the Workplace Violence Protective Order (H.B. 324) might be utilized in a detailed breakdown:

Company XYZ is a medium-sized technology firm with about 100 employees working in their office building. Recently, there have been escalating conflicts between two employees, John and Sarah. Their disagreements have become increasingly heated, and there is a concern that it may lead to violence in the workplace.

To protect their employees and property, Company XYZ contacts the HR department and consults with their legal counsel and decides to request a Workplace Violence Protective Order from the court. The court grants the order, requiring John and Sarah to maintain distance, cease communication, and avoid specific areas at work. Violating the order results in Class A misdemeanor charges, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. The order serves as a deterrent, ensuring a safer workplace environment.

Except you still have the people that threatened VIOLENCE at work. Huh? Anyway...

Steps involved in obtaining the protective order:

Filing the Request: The employer's HR department, on behalf of Company XYZ, files a request for a Workplace Violence Protective Order with the appropriate court. The request outlines the specific concerns about the potential bodily injury to employees (John, Sarah, and others) and significant damage to the company's property if the conflict continues to escalate.

Issuance of the Workplace Violence Protective Order: If the judge finds merit in the employer's request, they issue a Workplace Violence Protective Order against both John and Sarah. The order may include provisions such as keeping a specific distance from each other, prohibiting direct or indirect communication, and refraining from entering certain areas of the workplace.

Consequences of Violation: Suppose John and Sarah continue to engage in hostile behavior and violate the terms of the protective order. If evidence of this violation is presented to the court, they can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. If found guilty, they could face up to a year in jail and up to $2,500 in fines.

By obtaining the Workplace Violence Protective Order, Company XYZ aims to ensure the safety of all its employees and prevent any further escalation of the conflict between John and Sarah. The order serves as a deterrent and carries significant consequences if violated, thus providing greater protections for the employees in the workplace.

I'm still not sure why they still have jobs though. To me it would seem like you might not want these employees working for you. You know, threatening violence and all......But, what do I know?

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Filed Under: creepy guy at work, New Utah Law, restraining order, utah, violent co-worker, workplace safety

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