The Hidden Impacts of Domestic Violence on Workplace Productivity

Domestic violence is a serious epidemic that isn’t taken as seriously as it should be. It’s said to affect over 10 million people across the US. It’s reported that one in four women along with one in nine men are victims to this violence. Along with this the CDC reported 26% of men and 41% of women experienced sexual related violence, stalking, and physical violence which was initiated by their partner.

While the impacts on family are devastating, what many don’t know is that it can also cause a ripple effect in the workplace. In this article we’ll discuss the hidden impacts of domestic violence on workplace productivity and how businesses can help.

The Ripple Effect of Domestic Violence on Employees

Many people experience domestic violence in their life. This means that many businesses may have employees who are victims or perpetrators of domestic violence. For those who are victims and come to work, here are some ways the domestic violence workplace impact can affect a business.

1. Continual Absence

One of the more common effects of domestic violence is an increase in absent days. Victims may need time off to recover from their injuries, to seek medical help, attend court dates, or seek psychological help. Continuous time off can lead to a loss in productivity.

Not only that but it can also cause low productivity when employees are at work. If the victim is still being abused at home without anyone knowing, they may have trouble concentrating, meeting deadlines, or making more mistakes or spacing out. This can cause significant delays for a business and can affect the overall employees who may be working with them.

2. Impact on Colleagues

Sometimes colleagues are also affected when they know their work friends are being abused. If the abuser targets the workplace in regards to stalking or harassment of their victims during work hours, it can lead to disruption amongst other employees and can cause security breaches which may make colleagues fear for their safety. This can cause additional stress, distraction or fear which can jeopardize a workplace’s productivity.

3. Employee Turnover

Over time as domestic violence increases it can cause businesses to have a high turnover of employees. Victims may have to leave their jobs due to the need to relocate, feeling unsafe or because their abuser demands it.

Training and development is expensive for many businesses and this can lead to a waste in profits having to continually hire new people. A loss in a victim’s skills can also disrupt a company’s operation especially if it impacts the team directly.

Health Care Costs and EAPs

The physical and mental health consequences related to domestic violence can result in more healthcare costs for employers. Since victims may have heightened conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other chronic conditions due to the violence, it can increase healthcare costs which may be associated with a companies health insurance plans and EAPs if a business has one in place. While these plans are vital it can impact a business long term.

Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace

As a business it’s important to support your employees if they’re suffering from domestic violence. Encourage them to seek help from a domestic violence lawyer if they haven’t already. Other ways to help address domestic violence in the workplace includes:

• Developing a comprehensive policy which outlines your company’s commitment to supporting those who are affected. It should include the procedures needed for reporting abuse, resources available, and the protections against any retaliation and discrimination.
• Developing training and awareness programs to help employees and managers to recognize the signs of domestic violence.
• Setup Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to help those who are suffering from domestic violence. These programs can offer confidential counseling and connect individuals with legal resources, such as a Mesa domestic violence attorney, who can provide the necessary support and guidance through the legal process.
• Where possible offer flexible working arrangements to accommodate a person’s situation.
• Setup a safety plan for all workers if the violence is more targeted toward your business.

Endnote

Domestic violence isn’t a laughing matter. It’s a large issue that unfortunately many people have to deal with and the domestic violence workplace impact can be devastating to the business and company culture. As a business, by recognizing the impact of it on your workplace environment, you have the ability to make positive changes to help those who are impacted the most.