Removing Impediments to Reporting
Successful workplace violence prevention programs employ reporting procedures that empower nurses to come forward when incidents occur. Nurses are more likely to report when the process is simple and transparent and they believe there is some benefit to reporting.
Just as important is what happens after an incident report is filed. Nurses must know and believe that incident reports are taken seriously by management and will be acted upon in a timely fashion. Post-filing procedures should be clearly communicated through trainings and concise documentation. Those involved in the incident or the filing should be included in the process and receive feedback regarding the status of the investigation and anticipated actions.
Duration: 1 minute 49 seconds
Federal Protections for Whistleblowers
Section 11 (c)(1) of the OSH Act states "No person shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against any employee because such employee has filed any complaint or instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this Act or has testified or is about to testify in any such proceeding or because of the exercise by such employee on behalf of himself or others of any right afforded by this Act."