Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
Every 60 seconds, 20 people are abused by an intimate partner.
Domestic violence affects people of all races, ethnicities, religions, incomes, beliefs, and sexual orientations. It can include stalking, sexual violence, physical violence, and financial control.
Domestic violence also doesn’t pause when we go to work, even when working remotely.
Read on as we go over how domestic violence affects the workplace, domestic violence victims’ workplace rights, and how to be an ally.
If you’re experiencing domestic violence, there is help. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. You can also text “START” to 88788.
How Domestic Violence Affects the Workplace
Domestic violence doesn’t take a break when you show up to work. It can negatively affect the careers of survivors.
Sixty percent of domestic violence victims lose their jobs because they are victims of abuse.
In addition, abusers may try to sabotage the careers of their victims to exert more control. Or, if the victim works in a hybrid setting, they may even try to show up at the office to intimidate, threaten, or attack them.
However, certain laws offer workplace protections for domestic violence victims.
Workplace Rights
In many U.S. states, it is illegal for companies to fire workers for being victims of domestic violence.
Some states, such as Oregon, require employers to provide time off for victims to seek medical care, file a restraining order, or work with law enforcement.
Laws can also vary by country.
For example, in New Zealand, domestic violence victims have a right to 10 days of paid leave to find new living arrangements and protect their children.
Similar legislation has also been proposed in Ireland, which would grant five days of paid leave. However, some countries, like France, lag in workplace protections for domestic violence victims.
Company Policies
Even if your state doesn’t have workplace protections in place for domestic violence victims, check your company policy or ask HR.
Some companies, such as Meta Platforms (which owns Facebook), provide paid time off to employees experiencing domestic violence so they can file restraining orders, arrange a new living situation, and take the steps they need to keep themselves safe.
Companies Standing Up to Domestic Violence
Below is a list of brands and corporations that have workplace policies or corporate responsibility initiatives to support victims of domestic violence:
How to Be an Ally to Victims of Domestic Violence
Whether you’re a junior employee or a C-suite executive, everyone can do something to help victims of domestic violence. Here are a few steps you can take:
- Listen to the person without judgment.
- Don’t make assumptions about your colleague or blame them for their situation.
- If you’re in a position to do so, consider moving the employee to another work site.
- If you’re in a managerial position and the person has a protective order, ask for a photo of the perpetrator to keep them off the premises.
- If this person enters the workplace premises, call law enforcement.
- Refer your colleague to human resources or the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
- Seek out training — especially if you manage remote teams, learn to spot the signs of abuse.
- If working remotely, keep checking in with your colleague.
- Create a code word for them to signal if they need you to contact authorities.
It’s also important to note that, in some states or if you hold specific jobs, you may be what’s called an obligated reporter (sometimes called a mandatory reporter).
This means that if you’re aware of any domestic abuse incidents, you are legally required to notify law enforcement. Check your state and municipal laws to ensure you’re in compliance.
Jobs Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence
If you feel compelled to do more, there are also plenty of remote and hybrid jobs where you can advocate for domestic violence victims.
Here are a few examples of employers who hire for these positions:
- Family Violence Appellate Project
- Prevent Child Abuse America
- SAFE Alliance Austin
- Victim Rights Law Center – VRLC
- VIP – Violence Intervention Program
Resources for Domestic Violence Victims
Below are a few resources that may be helpful for domestic violence victims:
- Anti-Violence Project (U.S., for LGBTQ+ individuals: 212-714-1141)
- Domestic Violence Leave Laws by State (U.S.)
- National Emergency Service for Survivors of Family Violence Blue Line (Poland: 22 668 70 00)
- National Women’s Helpline (Germany: 08000 116 016)
- Safe Ireland
- State Law Guide: Domestic and Sexual Violence Workplace Policies (U.S.)
- Workplace Fairness: Domestic Violence and the Workplace (U.S.)
End Domestic Violence
Domestic violence doesn’t pause when we come to work. All of us can do our part to end domestic violence.
And if you’re currently experiencing abuse, please know you’re not alone. Contact your local hotline, shelter, or law enforcement agency.
Add a Comment
Our Policy: We welcome relevant and respectful comments in order to foster healthy and informative discussions. All other comments may be removed. Comments with links are automatically held for moderation.