Transcript Domestic Violence: Prevention at Work

Domestic Violence: Prevention at Work
Domestic Violence … What Is It?
Domestic violence
is a pattern of physical,
sexual and emotional
assault used by an
Individual with the
willful intent of hurting,
dominating, controlling
an intimate partner or
family member.
Facts – Domestic Violence at Work
• Domestic violence accounts for 27% of all incidents of violence in
the workplace. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor)
• Husbands and boyfriends commit 13,000 acts of violence against
woman in the workplace every year. (Source: U.S. Department of Justice)
• 56% of victim were late for at least five times per month. (Source: EDK
Associates, 1997)
• 28% of victims had to leave work early at least five times per month.
(Source: EDK Associates, 1997)
• 54% of victims missed at least 3 full days of work per month. (Source:
EDK Associates, 1997)
• 74% of employed battered women reported being harassed while at
work by their abusive partners, in person or by telephone. (Source:
National Safe Workplace Institute, 1992)
Facts–Economic Impact of Domestic Violence
• The health care costs of intimate partner rape, physical assault, and
stalking exceed $5.8 billion each year, nearly $4.1 billion of which is
for direct medical and mental health care services.
(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Costs of
Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States. Atlanta, GA, 2003.)
• Employers lose between $3 and $5 billion every year in
absenteeism, lower productivity, higher turnover and health and
safety costs associated with battered workers. (Source: 2001 American Institute on
Domestic Violence)
• Businesses lose an additional $100 million in lost wages, sick leave
and absenteeism. (Source: 2001 American Institute of Domestic Violence)
• Over 1,750,000 workdays are lost each year due to domestic
violence. (Source: 2001 American Institute of Domestic Violence)
• Domestic violence in the United States costs an estimated $67
billion annually. (Source: 2001 American Institute on Domestic Violence)
U.S. Executive Survey Results
• 66% of senior executives agreed that their company’s financial
performance would benefit from addressing the issue of domestic
violence among its employees.
• 78% of human resource directors identify domestic violence as a
substantial employee problem.
• 40% of corporate leaders are personally aware of specific
employees who are affected by domestic violence.
• 94% of corporate security directors rank domestic violence as a high
security problem at their companies.
• 49% of senior executives said that domestic violence has a harmful
effect on their company’s productivity.
• 47% admit partner violence negatively impacts employee
attendance.
(Source: 2001 American Institute on Domestic Violence)
Prevention Works
“Workplace involvement improves the chance of success.”
-- World Health Organization, 2004
The United States 1994 Violence Against Women Act has resulted in
an estimated net benefit of $14.8 billion in averted victims costs.
(“The economic dimension of interpersonal violence”, World Health Organization, 2004)
Prevention Goals
• Ensure the safety of all employees at work
• Enable individuals who may be victims or perpetrators of domestic
violence to contact the EAP
• Minimize risk factors for domestic violence.
Requirements for Success
• Strong support of senior leadership to ensure visibility and attention
• Commitment from internal communications team(s)
• Participation at all levels of the organization
• Communication and promotion of prevention through a series of
materials, in print and/or online
Strategy
• Distribute to every employee a memo announcing the “Domestic
Violence: Prevention at Work” initiative and emphasizing
management support
• Sponsor prevention activities: on-site seminars, community
involvement, policy development
• Communicate and promote outreach effort through a series of
materials and activities
Diverse Communications
• Ongoing EAP promotions
– Newsletters, e-mails, posters, brochures, tip sheets, ect
• On-site seminars facilitated by employee assistance professionals
• Web-based resources (Achieve Solutions)
– Articles and resources, interactive quizzes, manager’s tools
• Policy development
• Community involvement and partnerships
Measurements
• Absence rates
• Medical utilization and disability rates
• Employee satisfaction
• Employee participation
Expected Results
• Employee safety
• Enhanced productivity
• Reduced health care costs associated with domestic abuse
• Improved employee perception of employer commitment
• Increased rate of referral to the EAP