In recent years some employers have seen a connection between domestic violence and the workplace. After all, where the victim works is the one place the abuser can find her on a regular schedule. And, if a violent confrontation does occur at work, coworkers may be endangered as well.
There are other, more subtle negative effects on the workplace as well. Abused women are more depressed, have a higher absenteeism rate, exhibit poor job performance, abuse drugs more, and have a higher utilization of health insurance.
As a result, it is estimated that businesses lose more than $4.5 million every year due to the consequences of partner violence. Such statistics are difficult to ignore.
Some employers have taken proactive steps to address domestic violence through their Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and security departments. Here are some basic measures you can take to safeguard your employees:
- Train supervisors to recognize the signs of abuse.
- Make sure limited access procedures, such as ID cards, are stringently enforced.
- Transfer threatened employees from front-line customer service areas to back offices or even other worksites or cities.
- Encourage employees to notify their supervisors of outstanding restraining orders.
- Provide counseling services or a hot line.
- Create a buddy system to walk employees to and from the parking lot.
- Provide photos of the batterer to security personnel.