Lawyers Say Domestic Violence is a Workplace Issue

Domestic Violence is not something that just stays in the home.  Domestic violence issues can spill over into the workplace, causing major disruptions to the working environment.  It can lower morale, reduce production, and, worst of all, employees can be injured are killed by irate parties who carry these conflicts from the home to the office.     Quite often you will read about a crazed spouse or lover stalking into their partner’s office and shooting up the place, often killing or injuring bystanders as well as the target for that aggression.

Meredith Hobbs, in an article in Law.Com, makes the case that domestic violence does not have to physically carry into the workplace in order to have its impact.   She writes how the stress on the abused person is overwhelming, and how it behooves the employer to work with its employee to help that person maintain throughout the ordeal and stay on the job.   Abuses, she notes in her article can be obvious or hidden in plain sight.   Employers should be sensitive to these signs.    In the article, Maxine Cain, the human resources manager for Verizon Wireless, was quoted as saying it may be appropriate for the manager or the supervisor to ask if the employee feels safe at home or even if that employee is being abused.

Personally, I see this as a good proactive stance.     Far too often, too little action is taken to preempt a horrible situation, and only when that situation occurs do we hear about all the signs and indicators in its aftermath.    Most people being abused are women.   And with the economy in a downturn, frustrations build and what were once minor domestic issues suddenly become much more severe.   Depression over the economy may increase drug and alcohol use, which only serves to exacerbate the problem.

There has been much discussion about domestic violence and its impact on the workplace.   There are tips on prevention.  Most are quite good and worth reviewing.  Mainly, it is a matter of catching it early and assisting employees during very trying times.