Frequently Asked Questions: School Workplace Violent Incident Reporting
Where can I get the Violent Incident Reporting Form?
As your employer, the school division is responsible for providing it to all school staff. It should be easily accessible within your school.
If you do not know where to find it, contact your school division or superintendent and ask for a copy or directions on where to find it online.
The STF has also provided a copy of the form to all local association presidents. If you are unable to access the form, please contact the STF. A senior administrative staff member will provide support.
How long will it take to fill out the Violent Incident Reporting Form?
The form is intended to be simple and straightforward while still gathering all relevant information.
In most cases, it will only take a few minutes to complete. Providing additional information or details is at the teacher’s discretion.
What types of incidents should be reported?
All violent incidents against you or another staff member that you experience or witness must be reported, including hitting, kicking, biting, scratching, spitting and threats. When in doubt, report.
Violent incidents between students should be reported as per your school division administrative procedures.
Reports should be submitted as soon as reasonably possible after an incident occurs.
If a violent incident against a staff member involves a similar repeated behaviour multiple times in a single day, note the behaviour and frequency within one report. If incidents occur repeatedly over several days, submit daily reports in a timely manner. Please note that if similar incidents of violence go unreported over several days as you wait to compile them all into one report, this delays identification of needs and delays potential supports from being allocated to end the incidents from occurring.
Do I need to fill out both the Violent Incident Reporting Form and a division form?
No.
If your school division has a separate form, you do not need to fill out both. Your employer should either be using the Ministry form, or using their own form that has been modified to ensure it includes all the questions asked on the Violent Incident Reporting Form.
What happens with the information?
Reporting is not about blaming students.
The information collected is confidential. Aggregated data will be shared with all parties to the Letter of Understanding on school violence in the Provincial Collective Bargaining Agreement. This includes government, Saskatchewan School Boards Association and the STF.
Will someone investigate reported incidents?
Yes.
Occupational health and safety legislation requires that every violent incident report be investigated. School divisions have not yet indicated who will conduct those investigations.
The severity of an incident will likely influence the level of investigation that takes place.
How long before we experience real change in the classroom?
This reporting process is the beginning of an ongoing collaborative effort to collect meaningful data about violence in Saskatchewan schools.
That information will help all parties make informed decisions about school safety and identify solutions to address violence.
The STF will continue to pursue long-term, sustainable measures that support violence-free schools. It is also reasonable to expect that school divisions will understand their obligation in accordance with OHS legislation to investigate any acts of violence in their workspaces and make more immediate changes as data identifies specific .
Will the Violent Incident Reporting Form impact our upcoming round of bargaining?
The data collected through the reporting process will help inform future conversations and negotiations.
Why should I take the time to do this?
Completing the form will lead to change that will prevent violent incidents, keeping you, your colleagues and your students safe.
It is also an act of solidarity. This reporting process exists because of the collective action taken by teachers during the last round of bargaining.
Accurate and comprehensive data is essential to understanding the prevalence of violence in schools and ensuring appropriate solutions can be developed and implemented.
What do I do if I have a question about the process?
Feel free to speak with your principal, superintendent or division office.
For additional support or advice, contact your STF senior administrative staff .