Alvarez Associates LLC - Workplace Violence Prevention

08/24/2025

I ran across this and it resonated. I have had countless people approach me after a training, to share what they didnt (couldn't) share with others. Through their tears is a great reminder!

06/04/2025

For all our California connections I put together the attached checklist to help you double check your SB553 preparedness. Most of your employees should be due soon for annual training, the WVPP needs to be reviewed and more. There are lots of little details, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance.

For all my California Linkedin connections I put together the attached checklist to help you double check your SB553 preparedness. Most of your employees should be due soon for annual training, the WVPP needs to be reviewed and more. There are lots of little details, feel free to reach out if you ha...

06/22/2024

With the July 1st deadline approaching for California employers to have an effective Workplace Violence Prevention program in place, there is still confusion and concerns among many. Stated bluntly, addressing the requirements of SB553 shouldn't be too challenging for motivated employers, but the devil lies in the details and there are numerous aspects to consider.

Over the past few months, I have encountered various questions and issues regarding this matter. It's crucial that we work together towards our common goal of protecting our employees. Feel free to share your questions or provide clarification on any raised concerns.

June 22, 2024Whatever your thoughts are on the recently signed Bill the deadline for compliance is rapidly approaching. Almost every California employer reading this post will have to comply by July 1, 2024. Unfortunately, the rush towards compliance has caused some organization to lose sight of the...

06/22/2024

We spent the last few days helping a lakeside community improve thier program. With over 150 employees supporting a range of amenities it was important to customize the assessment and training. ready!

04/24/2024

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to present at the Safe Schools Symposium, sponsored by the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. We focused on the importance of being safety-minded while working to de-escalate concerning behavior in the school environment.

Yet the purpose of this post is not to humbly boast about what I do but to proudly brag about the accomplishments of one of my former students, Maribel Tapia.

It was an honor to hear Maribel Tapia and Cpt. John Reynolds from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office co-present on the compelling topic of “Diverting the Threat.” Their insights and expertise are truly invaluable to the safety of our community.

Maribel is an Alliant Alumni who graduated with her M.S. in Forensic Behavioral Science in 2020. While working as a Communication Specialist in dispatch, Maribel worked on her threat assessment and risk management coursework during her downtime. Then Lt. Reynolds, her watch commander, was interested in what she was learning about. Over time, this grew into a robust multidisciplinary threat assessment program. Maribel became a Crime Analyst in 2022 at the Fresno County Sheriff's Office and, as of 2023, is now a certified academy instructor by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. Maribel and Cpt Reynolds are also members of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals. This is a great example of how the knowledge and information we learn can enhance your career and make a difference in our community! Great job, Maribel! Keep it up!

03/06/2024

Does your organization have a workplace violence prevention program? Will it be in compliance with SB553? If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.

3/5/2024 On September 30, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 553 into law, establishing a first of its kind requirement that will apply to nearly all California employers. Employers now have to have a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (“WVPP”) in place by July 1, 2024. Thankfully, Cal/OSHA h...

10/30/2023

https://www.wvpexperts.com/single-post/california-s-new-workplace-violence-prevention-law

By: Hector R. Alvarez, MSPsy, CTM SB 553 California's Workplace Violence law covers almost all employers in the state.

12/23/2022

06/29/2022

She was only 17 years old working part time, still going to school and volunteering. She asked her management team for help and her pleas apparently fell on deaf ears.

This is the consistent pattern, behavioral indicators being overlooked, missunderstood or ignored. If you ever have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out.

Riley Whitelaw had complained to a manager that Joshua Johnson had made "advances towards her," a police affidavit said.

06/13/2022

“What can we do?” This is among the most common questions I get after a major incident of violence. It’s not uncommon for there to be a heightened interest for a while, then things go back to “normal.” However, things feel different this time. As I’m writing this article, the news playin...

06/09/2022

The pathway towards violence is a foundational principle of Behavioral Threat Assessment. Grievances, violent ideations, planning, collecting resources, conducting surveillance, these are all things this suspect did. It's not that we don't know what to look for, as a society we are struggling to move people towards action.

The suspect told the police that he had begun thinking “about how to give his life a purpose” and decided to kill a Supreme Court justice after finding the justice’s address online, the affidavit stated.

The man, Nicholas John Roske, 26, said he was upset about the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and impending decisions on abortion and guns, a federal affidavit says.

05/31/2022

Its so very important to use your situational awareness. People are on edge and panic may be a common response for the unprepared.

No shots were fired at the Barclays Center during a disturbance that sent people running for their lives early Sunday, said the New York City Police Department. CNN's Nadia Romero reports.