Domestic Violence n the Workplace
According to a recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, approximately a third of women and a quarter of men report being a victim of violence by a partner at some point in their lives. This means an employee being a victim or perpetrator is higher than you realize.
Protecting our employees at the workplace requires an action plan and implementation plan for prevention and intervention strategies to address domestic violence within the workplace.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, businesses lose $729 million each year in lost productivity related to domestic violence. 60% of employees experience domestic violence reported losing their jobs as a result, either because they were fired or had to quit.
If you’re an employer what signs should you look for:
- Unexplained bruises.
- Unusually quiet/withdrawn.
- Frequent absences.
- Lack of concentration.
- Wearing concealing clothing, even in warm weather.
- Depression and/or anxiety.
- Change in performance attitude.
- Frequent breaks or appointments with friends/family.
- Receipt of harassing phone calls.
If you have an employee exhibiting any of these signs, intervening in a sensitive and private manner to encourage he/she to seek help before the problem escalates.
How do you protect your employees; by being proactive. Establish a comprehensive policy to insure that employees can report abuses, to provide services the employer for the victims, and disciplinary procedures for perpetrators.
Source: Nobert Alicea, MA, CEAP, EVP of EAP+Work/Life Services
