Guide for Employers: Domestic Violence in the Workplace

• NCJ Number: 187863
• Author(s): Bette J. Garlow Esq.; Roberta L. Valente Esq.; Deborah M. Goelman Esq.; James Hardeman LICSW; Isabelle Scott Esq.
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 47 pages
• Corporate Author: American Bar Assoc., Cmssn on Domestic Violence
• Sale Source: American Bar Assoc., Cmssn on Domestic Violence
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Policy/Procedure Handbook/Manual
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The Guide for Employers, published by the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence, is intended to help businesses respond appropriately to domestic violence in the workplace by promoting awareness and suggesting safety protocols and strategies to protect and assist employees.

Abstract

Approximately 30,000 to 40,000 incidents of on-the-job violence involve cases in which victims knew their attackers intimately. Traditionally, employers and businesses choose to respond to domestic violence in the workplace in two ways: either by ignoring what was happening to the victim, or holding the victim, not the abuser, accountable. This strategy is both dangerous and unproductive and can be costly to both the victim and employer. This guide contains recommended strategies that will result in a safer workplace and a more productive business. The guide is divided into seven sections. Section one addresses a business' ability to respond effectively to the impact of domestic violence in its workplace by ensuring employees and customers have the safest possible environment, assisting employees struggling with absenteeism and productivity due to domestic violence, and enhancing profits and protecting the business from loss and liability. Sections two and three address enhancing an employers' understanding about domestic violence through an awareness of the dynamics of domestic violence and the ability to recognize domestic violence indicators. Section four addresses the prioritizing of safety in the workplace by implementing security measures reducing the likelihood of employees being threatened or assaulted at work because of domestic violence. Section five discusses the development of high quality security policies and an effective response plan assuring employer support for victims of domestic violence. Section six suggests advocates from local domestic violence programs, attorneys, and victim advocates from law enforcement offices provide information to the victimized employee about possible legal options and remedies. Section seven proposes the use of existing employee benefits programs and policies to help employees who are dealing with domestic violence. These resources can be beneficial to victims in obtaining services and time needed to stabilize their lives and improve general workplace safety and productivity. Through these recommended strategies, employers can improve safety and productivity of the workplace by offering help to employees who are victims of domestic violence. Resource list