Responding to domestic violence at work

This guide is designed to help employers assess for domestic violence and provide appropriate assistance and referral for victims. Because the vast majority of victims of adult domestic violence are women who are abused by their male partners, this guide will refer to victims as female and abusers as male. The information, however, applies to all victims regardless of their gender or the gender of their partner, including gay, lesbian and transgender victims and men who are abused by their female partners.

Recognizing Domestic Violence in the Workplace

Domestic violence doesn't stay 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 from extreme stress. With nearly one-third of American women (31 percent) reporting being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives; it is crucial that domestic abuse be seen as a serious, recognizable, and preventable problem like thousands of other workplace health and safety issues that affect a business and its bottom line. Homicide was the second leading cause of death on the job for women in 2000; more than 29,000 acts of rape or sexual assault are perpetrated against women at work each year and the annual cost of lost productivity due to domestic violence is estimated as $727.8 million. Domestic violence affects each and every employer.

Possible Indicators: Victims of domestic violence may seek assistance for a wide variety of problems other than the violence itself. Possible indicators of domestic violence include:

Visible Physical Injuries including bruises, lacerations, burns, human bite marks, and fractures (especially of the eyes, nose, teeth and jaw); injuries during pregnancy, miscarriage or premature births; injuries that are inconsistent with explanation; multiple injuries in different stages of healing; unexplained delay in seeking medical treatment for injuries;

Stress-Related Illnesses including headaches, backaches, chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, sleep disorders, eating disorders, fatigue, anxiety-related conditions such as heart palpitations, hyperventilation and panic attacks;

Marital or Family Problems; Alcohol or Other Addictions; Depression, Suicidal Thoughts or Attempts;

Absenteeism, Lateness, and Leaving Work Early;

Changes in Job Performance such as difficulty concentrating, repeating errors, and slower work pace;

Unusual or Excessive Number of Phone Calls from family members, strong reactions to these calls; and

Disruptive Personal Visits to the workplace from employee's present or former partner or spouse.

The next part in this series is Responding to Domestic Violence in the Workplace.

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