Disruptive or Distressed Individual

If you encounter a DANGEROUS individual who is threatening harm to self or others:

  • Immediately call 9-1-1 and follow instructions provided by the operator.

If you encounter a DISRUPTIVE or DISTURBING individual (without immediate concern for safety):

  • Contact the URI Police Department, 401 874 4910 or 911.
  • Listen non-judgmentally and encourage open communication.
  • Provide reassurance and be aware the person may be overwhelmed by thoughts, beliefs, and/or sounds.
  • Consult with the URI Employee Relations Office and notify your supervisor.
  • If needed, consult with the Employee Assistance Program.
  • Work with your supervisor and the UFHR Employee Relations Office to develop a plan.
  • Implement the plan and follow up with recommended resources and your supervisor.
  • Document your actions and conversations.

If you encounter a TROUBLED employee (without immediate concern for safety):

  • Consult the Employee Assistance Program and UFHR Employee Relations Office.
  • Address the situation directly and how it relates to the positions; have someone else present with the two of you.
  • Do not make promises of confidentiality.
  • Refer employees to campus and community mental health resources.

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT NOTE

This content isn’t particularly engaging… Let’s look at Ohio State’s equivalent of this https://studentlife.osu.edu/posts/documents/culture-of-care-guide-tagged.pdf and try to incorporate some of that here.