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EspañolIf an employer, or his/her employee or “invitee” (guest, customer, etc.) is the victim of violence; received a threat of violence that can reasonably be interpreted as something that may be carried out at the worksite; or was stalked or harassed at the worksite, the employer can file for a workplace violence restraining order against the perpetrator.
What is a workplace violence restraining order?
A workplace violence restraining order is a court order an employer can get to protect workers, customers, and others at the workplace. The “workplace” includes anywhere the victim is doing his/her job, like while buying supplies or traveling on a business trip, for example.1
1 See R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-52-2(a)
What are the reasons for getting a workplace violence restraining order?
An employer can file for a workplace violence restraining order if the employer, an employee, or a customer or guest (“invitee”) is:
- the victim of violence, whether it happened at work or someplace else;
- threatened with violence that could happen at work; or
- stalked or harassed at work.1
1 R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-52-2(a
Who can file for a workplace violence restraining order?
Only an employer can file for this kind of order for the reasons listed in What are the reasons for getting a workplace restraining order? There does not need to be any specific relationship between the abuser and the victim. In other words, the abuser can be a coworker, customer, intimate partner, family member, stranger, or anyone else.1
If you are a victim of abuse, your boss can file for this order without your involvement and even without your agreement. The goal is to stop the abuser from causing harm at your job. Depending on your relationship with the abuser, you may also qualify for your own domestic violence restraining order that could protect you at all times, not just at the workplace.
1 R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-52-2(a)
What protections can a workplace violence restraining order include?
A workplace violence restraining order can order the abuser to:
- not visit, assault, abuse, injure, bother, or interfere with the victim, other employees, the employer, the business operations, and any customers or guests (“invitees”) present at the worksite;
- not stalk, harass, or call the victim, other employees, the employer, the business operations, and any customers or guests (“invitees”) at the worksite;
- not damage any property at the worksite; and
- do or not do anything else the judge believes is necessary and appropriate.1
1 R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-52-2(b)
What else can I do to stay safe?
You can visit our Safety Planning page for ways to increase your safety. If you are being stalked or harassed, you can visit our Stalking/Cyberstalking page and the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center website for more information and resources. You can also contact the Victim Connect Resource Center to be referred to a crime victim advocate in your area.
If you are facing any form of domestic violence, you can contact a domestic violence organization in your area that is listed on our Rhode Island Advocates and Shelters page. They may be able to help you figure out your options and offer you support. You may also qualify for a domestic violence restraining order, depending on your relationship with the abuser and the type of abuse you are suffering.
