A new law, signed by Gov. Deval Patrick as part of a supplemental budget, requires that any state-operated or state-funded human service program providing direct services to clients have a workplace violence prevention and crisis response plan for its social workers, human services workers, volunteers and all other employees.
Supporters say that more than 50 percent of social workers in Massachusetts have been physically assaulted in a work-related incident, ranging from pushing, hitting, and choking to life-threatening attacks. They note it is time to protect these dedicated, often underpaid workers.
For more detail on the plan for state-operated or state-funded human service program workplace violence and protection see Violence Protection (H 57) Section 30.
