Domestic Violence is a business issue that cannot be ignored. Many people facing domestic violence spend at least eight hours a day in the workplace. Domestic violence affects employee health and well-being, productivity, benefits, costs and risk to employer. It is therefore important that employees who are victims or perpetrators and employers notice the signs and find ways of dealing with the situation.

 What is Domestic Violence in the Workplace?

• Behavior that occurs on and off the worksite.
• Behavior that interferes with the capability to safely and securely perform one's duties at work.
• Harassing or repeated phone calls, faxes at work, unarmed and armed "show-ups", homicide.
• Sleep deprivation and physical injury that impacts the ability to perform job. e.g. (breaking fingers)

 Signs of Abuse

Supervisors and union representatives are often among the first people in the workplace to become aware that an employee may be a victim of domestic violence. Below are possible indicators that someone may be abused:

• Unexplained bruises.
• Unusually quiet/withdrawn.
• Frequent absences from work.
• Lack of concentration.
• Wearing concealing clothes even in warm weather.
• Frequently breaks appointments with friends/family.
• Depression & anxiety.
• Change in performance/attitude.
• Receipt of harassing phone calls.