Workplace Violence Prevention

Make Your Meetings More Active

  • Include items on your meeting agenda that require participants to get out of their seats (breakout groups, stand and write ideas on an easel).
  • Choose movement friendly meeting locations (walkable neighborhoods, on-site gym, nearby park).
  • Hire a professional instructor (pilates, yoga, tai chi, stretching, Zumba) to lead a class before or during the meeting.
  • Point out the stairs and encourage attendees to use them. Consider including the location of stairs in meeting directions or putting arrows to the stairs in front of elevators.
  • Organize a group walk early in the morning, during a break or before/after dinner.
  • Consider incorporating standing ovations after each speaker to encourage participants to stand and stretch.

Standing Breaks

  • At least once an hour, participants should be encouraged to stand up to improve blood circulation, boost metabolism, and relieve physical discomfort from sitting for prolonged periods of time.
  • Announce that it is fine to stand up and move around, as needed. If possible, provide raised tables for those electing to stand during the meeting.

Stretch Breaks

  • Stretch breaks help participants wake up their bodies and minds.
  • Encourage people to stand up and stretch in place.
  • Try playing a Healthy UC Davis WakeBreak video! These instructor-led stretch videos range from 4 to 15 minutes. 

Breathing Exercise

  • Focused breathing is an energizing activity that can help relax and clear your mind. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

Suggested Activity Agendas

LENGTH OF MEETINGSTANDING BREAKSTRETCH BREAKSBREATHING BREAKSMOVEMENT BREAKSWALKING BREAKS
50 - 60 minx x  
2 - 4 hoursxxxx 
All Dayxxxxx
Home Health Infusion nurse providing care to a patient.

Care at Home, Supported Together: Honoring Home Health, Hospice, and the Teams Who Keep Care Safe

  • by Kimberly McLennan, Trainer
This article celebrates National Home Care & Hospice Month by highlighting the vital role of UC Davis Health’s Home Health, Hospice, and Home-Based Palliative Care programs in providing compassionate, patient-centered care in the home, while also underscoring the growing issue of workplace violence faced by healthcare workers and the importance of CPI verbal de-escalation training in keeping caregivers safe, confident, and supported as they deliver high-quality care.
Workplace Violence Prevention Flyer highlighting resources for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Standing With Survivors: Domestic Violence Awareness Month

  • by Kimberly McLennan, Trainer
Workplace Violence Prevention recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month, reaffirming its commitment to stand with survivors through education, awareness, and access to supportive resources. The article highlights the widespread impact of domestic violence, its presence in the workplace, and the importance of recognizing warning signs, responding with empathy, and connecting individuals to available resources to promote safety, prevention, and compassion year-round.
Workplace Violence Prevention Episode 2 Cover with UCD branding colors and a microphone.

Suicide Prevention in the Workplace: A Conversation That Matters

  • by Kimberly McLennan, Trainer
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and the Workplace Violence Prevention Team encourages all employees to support mental health by recognizing warning signs, reducing stigma, and fostering open conversations. In a recent podcast episode, Kimberly McLennan, Trainer for the Workplace Violence Prevention Team, speaks with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Elizabeth Sheesley about practical ways individuals can take action and the resources available to support managers and supervisors. Listen to the episode to learn how we can work together to create a more compassionate, supportive workplace.
Roxana Carbajal, Interim Employee Relations Director, Employee Labor and Relations

Civility in Action: Leading with Respect at UC Davis

  • by Kimberly McLennan, Trainer
Roxana Carabajal, Interim Employee Relations Director, Employee Labor and Relations, shares practical tips on fostering civility and respect in the workplace at UC Davis in this article and the accompanying video, by Workplace Violence Prevention Trainer, Kimberly McLennan, highlights the impact of everyday actions, effective communication, and available support resources.
Flyer with pictures of meditation, a man engaging in exercise with his dog, journaling prompts and recipes.

Caring for Ourselves, Together: Celebrate International Self-Care Day at UC Davis

  • by Kimberly McLennan, Trainer
International Self-Care Day, celebrated on July 24, is a global reminder to make self-care a regular part of your life, not just an occasional treat. At UC Davis and UC Davis Health, you’ll find simple, accessible ways to recharge and care for your well-being, from mindful breathing and journaling to healthy recipes and fitness resources. This day is all about pausing, reflecting, and taking small steps to prioritize your mental, emotional, and physical health, allowing you to bring your whole self to work and be present for your family.
A physician consulting with a male patient.

Beyond the Noise: Using Calm Communication to Support Alzheimer’s, PTSD, and Men’s Mental Health

  • by Kimberly McLennan, Trainer
June shines a spotlight on Alzheimer’s Disease, PTSD, and Men’s Mental Health, each highlighting the importance of how we engage with individuals in crisis. This article focuses on the value of CPI’s (Crisis Prevention Institute) person-centered, trauma-informed verbal de-escalation techniques, which empower caregivers, healthcare workers, and communities to respond with empathy, dignity, and safety in moments of distress.
Person on a computer, engaging in a virtual class, with details about the Virtual CPI course.

New Virtual Training Opportunity: Nonviolent Crisis Intervention – Verbal De-Escalation

  • by Kimberly McLennan, Trainer
The Virtual Nonviolent Crisis Intervention: Verbal De-Escalation training, developed by the Crisis Prevention Institute and Workplace Violence Prevention, offers evidence-based strategies to effectively prevent, de-escalate, and manage crisis situations providing essential skills applicable across a wide range of professional roles.
Podcast cover for first ever podcast from the Workplace Violence Prevention Unit, promoting Mental Health Awareness Month

Workplace Violence Prevention Unit Launches First Podcast in Honor of Mental Health Awareness Month

  • by Kimberly McLennan, Trainer
In this powerful first episode of the Workplace Violence Prevention Podcast, host Kimberly McLennan and guest therapist Elizabeth Sheesley reflect on Mental Health Awareness Month and the emotional realities of workplace violence in healthcare. Through the lens of a tragic shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital, they explore the mental health toll on caregivers, the stigma surrounding trauma in the workplace, and the urgent need for trauma-informed systems. The conversation includes prevention tips, support resources, and practical strategies for healing and resilience—both for individuals and organizations.
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