Press Release: Gov. Declares Workplace Violence Preventable
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OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
WWW.COLORADO.GOV/GOVERNOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 2009
CONTACTS
Megan Castle, 303.866.6386, megan.castle@state.co.us
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER DECLARES WORKPLACE VIOLENCE A PREVENTABLE ISSUE
Gov. Ritter today issued an executive order requiring the establishment of a universal policy to protect state employees from workplace and domestic violence. As an employer, the State is affected by workplace violence which can compromise the safety of both victims and co-workers and result in lost productivity and increased healthcare costs, absenteeism, and employee turnover.
"We want all employees to be safe, to be free of fear, and to be confident they will not be victimized at work. We can prevent these senseless acts of violence and the harm that falls upon victims, friends, families, and coworkers by raising awareness of domestic and workplace violence," Gov. Ritter said. "Today, we are starting the necessary steps to provide a violence-free environment."
The Executive Order directs the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration to work with the Department of Human Services, the Colorado Attorney General's Office, and other state agencies to develop a universal policy addressing workplace violence, including domestic violence affecting the workplace, by March 2010.
Each state department will formulate protocols and procedures for implementing the universal policy by August 2010. The Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration will submit a report regarding the implementation of this Order to the Governor's Office in October 2011. Departmental policies will include increasing awareness of and education about workplace violence, including domestic violence affecting the workplace, and informing employees of available resources for assistance.
Gov. Ritter proclaimed October as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month," see below for the full text of the proclamation and click here to read the Executive Order.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
October 2009
WHEREAS, domestic violence causes needless physical and emotional injury to Coloradans; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence is not confined to any specific group of people, but affects individuals of all races, economic levels, educational backgrounds, family structures, religions, and ages; and
WHEREAS, the crime of domestic violence violates an individual's dignity, security, and humanity, and can come in the form of physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse; and
WHEREAS, professionals, volunteers, and community members concerned with domestic violence prevention will devote the month of October to public education programs on the causes, interventions, and prevention of this tragic epidemic, which is of great concern to Colorado's public health;
Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim October 2009,
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
in the State of Colorado.
GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this thirty-first day of August, 2009
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
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