Domestic Violence in the
Workplace is Your Business

The costs of domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, are high in all aspects of the victims’ lives. The cost to employers nationwide annually exceeds $5.1 billion, including $4.1 billion in direct health care expenses, $900 million in lost productivity, and $900 million in lifetime earnings. In addition, in a survey of senior executives, 91 percent said domestic violence affects both the private and working lives of their employees. Employers who fail to protect their employees may be liable. NEW: Read more facts about DV in the workplace.

Read facts from the Family Violence prevention Fund and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

One out of four women will experience domestic violence in their lives. It might be a friend, family member or co-worker.

The following three stories representative the perspectives of a victim, co-worker and supervisor.

Laws vary from state to state about the issues related to domestic violence in the workplace. In general and under California law, employers have certain specific obligations regarding employees who attempt to obtain relief from domestic violence. An employer of 25 or more employees may not discharge or discipline an employee for taking time off to seek judicial relief or other activities related to domestic violence if the employee provides advanced notice for the time requested, or provides certification for the unscheduled absence.

Click here for more information about the California Labor Code 230 regarding these obligations.

Read this fact sheet on Domestic Violence and Employment-Job Guarantee Time Off

Also, an employer may seek a Temporary Restraining Order on behalf of an employee or others in the workplace when a domestic violence perpetrator threatens an employee at or in relation to the workplace. For more information, see California Code of Civil Procedure section 527.8.

To learn more about Next Door and domestic violence in the workplace, read Articles of Interest

Many companies have human resources policies in place.  Domestic violence in the workplace policies will vary from business to business. Read this sample policy.