Facing Domestic Violence Head-on in the Workplace

Megan Campbell, JD 2007

Domestic violence is a problem that comes to work. In one study, seventy-four percent of individuals in abusive relationships reported that their abusers harassed them at work. http://www.aidv-usa.com/Statistics.htm Recently Vermonters were confronted by the reality of domestic violence in the workplace when Christopher Williams came into the Essex elementary school to find his ex-girlfriend. Domestic violence in the workplace is a problem Vermonters should not ignore. Luckily, there are constructive ways to address domestic violence before it becomes a problem in your workplace.

Employers and employees alike should ask themselves: Is my workplace adequately prepared to offer support to victims of domestic violence? Do we have appropriate security measures in place? Does my workplace provide an environment where victims of domestic violence feel comfortable communicating with their employers before the violence becomes a serious threat to employee safety? If the answer to any of those questions is “no”, consider implementing a domestic violence workplace policy.

Domestic violence policies prevent employers from discriminating against employees solely because of their status as a victim of domestic violence. These policies may also institute important workplace protections for domestic violence victims including:

• Improve workplace safety. Employers can develop safety plans with affected employees, enforce restraining orders, and review parking lot and building safety procedures to be sure that they are adequate.
• Recognize that domestic violence victims might have work performance problems. Affected employees should be provided flexible leave provisions that allow them to access needed counseling, medical or legal services.
• Provide health insurance coverage to employees that does not discriminate against domestic violence victims.
• Discipline or terminate employees who use work time and resources to abuse their partners.

If instituting a domestic violence policy seems daunting, take a look at other workplaces that have adopted them. These policies can serve as models for your workplace.
http://www.worklifealliance.org/policies/violence/index.cfm
http://www.cobar.org/group/display.cfm?GenID=3706
http://www.ag.state.la.us/violence/policy.htm
http://www.opdv.state.ny.us/workplace/statepolicy.html
http://mainegov-images.informe.org/ag/dynld/documents/DVPolicy.pdf

It may be tempting for some employers to address domestic violence in the workplace by firing employees who suffer abuse at the hands of a domestic partner. Discriminating against abuse victims is not the answer. If employers find pretexts to fire employees who are victims of domestic violence, women will work harder to hide the bruises, and to keep silent in order to keep their jobs. In rural communities women may be more hesitant to seek services if it could result in public disclosure. As a result, these women and their children will be more likely to remain in dangerous situations. Employers are also likely to lose valuable employees, or to remain unaware of safety concerns that could affect the workplace until it is too late.

Employers who take a stand against domestic violence are crucial. Without employer participation, domestic violence will continue to be a “private problem” that is not discussed at work until the violence becomes public. Facing domestic violence head-on in the workplace makes us all safer.

Other helpful websites that discuss domestic violence in the workplace include:

http://www.endabuse.org/programs/display.php3?DocID=75
This website gives good tips about how to have a discussion with an employee who might be facing dv at home.

http://www.abanet.org/domviol/workviolence.html
This website talks about steps employers need to take in addition to implementing a workplace policy.

http://www.opm.gov/employment_and_benefits/worklife/officialdocuments/handbooksguides/DomesticViolence_help/index.asp

http://www.legalmomentum.org/issues/vio/policies