Why should domestic abuse be a concern to an employer?

75% of domestic abuse victims are targeted at work.  Once a person leaves an abusive partner they are especially vulnerable at work, as it may be the only place they can be located, or harmed.

As an employer you could be liable if you fail to protect your employee from abuse while at work. e.g. stalking and harassment via text, telephone, email and in-person visits. 

Employers have a role and responsibility to safeguard their staff when they are in the workplace

Costs of domestic abuse in the workplace

Domestic abuse costs UK businesses over £2 billion a year in terms of lost productivity, absenteeism, legal and medical costs (Sylvia Walby 2004).

98% of domestic abuse survivors said that the abuse affected their ability to perform their work duties (Ridley, E, et al 2005).

In the UK, in any one year, more than 20% of employed women take time off work because of domestic abuse and 2% lose their job as a direct result of the abuse (Sylvia Walby 2004).

Employees who themselves are abusers may use the compay's resources such as telephone, email or company vehicles to perpetrate abuse domestic abuse also impacts on other members of staff in a range of ways from having to take on additional duties to cover for absent colleagues, to trying to “protect” victims from unwanted phone calls and visits, or feeling helpless and distracted from their work.

What can businesses do?

Whether a large company or one of the borough's many SMEs there are steps that you can take to help managers facilitate conversations about domestic abuse and put in place support for employees. 

Guidance for employers

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, along with the Equality and Human Rights Commission, have developed some guidance which outlines how employers should respond if an employee is affected by domestic abuse.  This can be found at Managing And Supporting Employees Experiencing Domestic Abuse.

The guidance includes steps on developing an effective domestic abuse workplace policy.  It also contains a list of 10 low cost common sense practical tips to enable businesses to Recognise the problem, Respond appropriately, Provide support and Refer to the appropriate help.

Local outreach and support

Our local outreach and support service provider is East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service.

They can be contacted on 01737 771350, http://www.esdas.org.uk/