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Domestic Violence & The Workplace

With one out of every four American women reporting physical abuse by an intimate partner at some point in their lives, it is a statistical certainty that in any mid-to-large sized company, domestic violence is affecting employees. Because of this, the workplace is an effective place to educate employees about domestic violence—and to send a message that abuse is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Within the first six months of Emily’s marriage, the abuse started. At first, her husband became controlling, not letting her see her friends or family. The physical abuse started with a punch—eventually, he became violent every few days. Emily’s husband controlled his violence enough so that he bruised and hurt her on hidden areas of her body, so that her co-workers and friends would not notice.

Emily got out of her marriage before it was too late. With the help and support of friends, family, co-workers, and supervisors, she left her husband. Her job gave her time off while she was in a shelter. Security staff kept a photograph of her husband in case he violated the restraining order and came to her workplace. Security also escorted her to her car every night. Without the support of her workplace, Emily feels sure she could not have escaped her situation.

What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is the recurring physical, sexual, or psychological abuse of one partner by another. It is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. Unless the victim seeks help, the abuse usually happens more frequently and escalates. Domestic violence cuts across all types of families, regardless of income, race, or religion. No one deserves abuse.

Domestic Violence in the Workplace
Domestic violence does not stay at home when its victims go to work. It can follow them, resulting in violence in the workplace. Or it can spill over into the workplace when a woman is harassed by threatening phone calls, absent because of injuries, or less productive because of extreme stress. Domestic violence in the workplace includes all types of behavior that affect a person’s ability to perform a job. (Taken from http://endabuse.org/section/programs/workplace.)

A 1993 Boston Globe story reported that domestic violence costs employers $3 to $5 billion annually due to worker absenteeism, increased health care costs, higher turnover, and lower productivity. Ninety-four percent of corporate security directors ranked domestic violence as a high security problem at their company.

What to Do if a Supervisor or Co-Worker Suspects Domestic Violence
There are signs that someone may be in an abusive relationship. Signs of an abusive relationship include:

• Unexplained bruises
• Explanations that do not make sense
• Employee is distracted, has trouble concentrating, often misses work
• Employee receives repeated, harassing phone calls
• Quality of employee’s work fluctuates for no apparent reason
• Employee expresses fears about leaving children alone with spouse or about going home
• Employee appears isolated from friends, relatives, and co-workers

If a supervisor or co-worker suspects domestic violence, there are ways to help:

1. Establish rapport with the employee, if you do not already have rapport.
2. Listen, without judging. Often a battered spouse believes her abuser’s negative messages.
3. Let the employee know you care about them.
4. Tell the employee that they are not responsible for the abuse.
5. Emphasize that when they are ready for help, it is available (for example, through the EAP).
6. Explain that domestic violence is a crime. Provide referral phone numbers, give written materials (available through the EAP).

If a supervisor or a co-worker wants to talk about their concerns, the EAP is available. Frank Horton Associates EAP can be reached 24 hours a day/7 days a week at 1-800-326-3864. The National Domestic Violence Hotline, which links victims and local domestic violence resources, can be reached 24 hours a day/7 days a week at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).