Community Events and Initiatives
Family Violence and its Effects in the Workplace
Through the generous support of the Estevan United Way, Envision was the recipient of a grant that will allow Envision to focus on the effects of family violence in the workplace. This year-long initiative is designed to help employers, unions, employees, managers and supervisors recognize, respond and develop supports and policies to assist employees who are victims of family violence.
What is Family Violence
Family Violence is the abuse of power within the relationships of family, trust or dependency that endangers the survival, security or well-being of another person. It can include many forms of abuse including partner abuse, child abuse, older person abuse, sibling abuse and parent abuse. For the purpose of this initiative, the focus of information and resources will be for interpersonal abuse and violence (partner abuse and stalking).
Partner abuse is a pattern of behaviour used by one person to gain power and control over another whom they have or had an intimate relationship. It may include physical violence, sexual, emotional and verbal abuse, stalking, harassment and control. Anyone can be a victim of partner abuse regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, economic status or educational background. The abuser may be a current or former spouse or intimate partner, relative, friend or acquaintance.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of Canadians are subject to abuse and violence in their homes. Unfortunately the violence can escalate to the point of assault, rape or even murder.
Family Violence and the Workplace
The violence in our homes is self-perpetuating and eventually it spills into our schools, our communities and our workplaces. Many employers believe that family issues have no impact on the workplace. That is not true. The fact is that partner abuse does not stop when a victim leaves for work or while they are at work.
What affects employees affects their employers. When one in four women are affected by partner abuse, it is very likely that a domino effect will occur in the workplace by influencing other employees ability to do their jobs, their personal well-being and in some extreme cases it can endanger their lives.
There are two primary reasons that partner abuse comes to work:
1. Partner abuse is about control. The victims job represents independence and while the victim is at work, they are not under the abuser’s immediate control.
2. The victim is vulnerable at work. Because their work hours, parking arrangements and geographical location are predictable, the abuser knows where and when they can find the employee.
Once partner abuse transfers to the workplace it can affect the victim, co-workers, supervisors and employers. The effects of partner abuse in the workplace can include:
- Reduced employee productivity.
- Increased absenteeism due to injury or stress.
- Turnover, recruitment and training costs when victims are injured or dismissed for poor performance or when a victim has to flee their home in an effort to escape an abusive relationship. Escape from the home often includes abruptly leaving the workplace as well.
- Higher company health expenses.
- Decreased employee morale.
- Strained co-worker relations.
- Potential harm to employees and/or clients when violent abusers enter the workplace.
- Liability costs if anyone at the workplace is harmed.
Employers can benefit from addressing partner abuse and its effects in terms of improving current health and safety for their employees. Statistics Canada estimates that the annual cost of family violence to be in the billions of dollars each year.
Establishing a policy, creating procedures, providing resources and insisting on a healthy work environment in any form is not only good for business but it could also save lives.
In the past employers have viewed partner abuse as a personal issue rather than a workplace problem. The good news today is that employers who do address it can provide real help to victims.
Statistics
- 85% of victims report being absent from work due to the abuse and 54% miss three or more days of work per month.
- 96% of victims experience problems at work due to abuse, 56% are late to work, 28% leave work early and 54% miss entire days of work.
- In a study of Fortune 1000 Senior Executives regarding domestic violence and the related costs to the workplace:
- 66% reported that their company's financial performance would likely benefit from addressing domestic violence among their employees;
- 47% reported that domestic violence negatively effects productivity;
- 44% reported that domestic violence directly increases health care costs.
- Domestic violence is the number one cause of injuries to women and accounts for more injuries than rape, muggings and auto accidents combined.
How to recognize the signs of abuse in the workplace
Possible things to look for when you suspect an employee/co-worker is a victim of family violence:
- They may show signs of being sad, anxious or depressed and will be reluctant to talk about it.
- They may show signs of physical injury explained by statements like, “I’m clumsy” or “I’m accident prone”.
- They may make excuses for why they are absent or why they often arrive late.
- They may offer to work late to avoid going home.
- They may decline in their job performance, particularly an hour before they are scheduled to leave.
- They may be lacking concentration on tasks.
- They may become withdrawn socially and do not attend work functions.
- They may become agitated, angry or cry when talking on the phone to their partner.
- Their partner frequently waits for them at their workplace.
- They may have frequent financial problems; indicating a lack of access to money.
Perpetrators may:
- Make derogatory comments that show lack of respect or lack of consideration for his/her partner.
- Be abusive or bully others at work.
- Be extremely rigid and/or controlling
Role of the Program Coordinator
The program coordinator will work with the employer to build a supportive work environment for those who live with abuse. The coordinator can provide all employees (not just victims) with education and information on available help and resources.
Other things the program coordinator can do include:
- Provide businesses with resources to understand how family violence affects the workplace safety and security.
- Give presentations to employers and employees on family violence and its effects in the workplace.
- Assist in the writing of zero-tolerance policies that support employee safety against violence, harassment and discrimination and support workers who are experiencing abuse.
- Connect employers with Alternatives to Violence Programs for abusers.
- Work with Employee Assistance Programs, to provide appropriate resources for employees.
- Work with Health and Safety Committees to address violence prevention and victim safety.
- Provide direct support to employees who are victims of partner abuse.
- Organizing awareness and education programs during business hours including providing a “lunch and learn”.
- Provide and post resource materials for employees and supervisors, including company newsletters.
For more information please contact:
Envision Counselling & Support Centre
Cara Schultz
Family Violence and its Effects
in the Workplace Coordinator
Phone: 637-4004 (Estevan)
842-8821 (Weyburn)
Email: cara.envision@sasktel.net
