Domestic violence may happen behind closed doors but it has far reaching consequences and is known to have an impact on the working lives of those living with an abusive partner. It also has an impact on co-workers and the productivity, safety and moral of the entire workplace.
Internationally, the evidence documenting the impact on workers and on workplaces is growing. Here you will find recent groundbreaking studies that are changing the way we understand domestic violence and its relationship to the workplace.
Many more studies are available. If you are interested in finding out more about this research, please e-mail us at miob@uwo.ca.
Pan-Canadian Survey on Domestic Violence and the Workplace
The Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women & Children in the Faculty of Education at Western University, in partnership with the Canadian Labour Congress, has just released a report on the first ever Canadian survey on domestic violence in the workplace. Over 8,400 workers responded. The report provides startling insights into the impact of domestic violence on Canadian workers and workplaces.
An Estimation of the Economic Impact of Spousal Violence in Canada, 2009, Department of Justice Canada
This is the first study which provides a comprehensive estimate of the economic impact (costs) of spousal violence in Canada. All incidents of spousal violence that were reported in 2009 are taken into account, and all costs that could be reasonably attributed to these incidents are included, whether the costs were realized in 2009 or at some later date.
Domestic Violence Against White-Collar Working Women in Turkey: A Call for Business Action
This report is the outcome of an investigation of the effect of Domestic Violence on white-collar working women’s careers and on workplaces in Turkey. The researchers motivation stems from an earlier investigation of the gender gap at the corporate boards in Turkey within the scope of the Independent Woman Directors Project.
Domestic Violence and the Workplace (United Kingdom, 2014)
The Trades Union Congress of the U.K. conducted a survey similar to the one carried out in Australia, to find out more about how domestic violence affects working lives and the role that employers, colleagues and union reps can play in supporting those experiencing domestic abuse.
Domestic Violence at the Workplace: Investigating the Impact of Domestic Violence Perpetration on Workers and Workplaces
This survey, done by researchers at the University of Toronto and Western University, Partner Assault Response (PAR) programs across Ontario, and the DV@Work Network, was designed to increase our understanding of the impact of DV perpetration on workers and workplaces. The aim was to raise awareness of the intersection of DV perpetration and workplace safety and productivity, and to provide data that could contribute to efforts to inform ongoing development of workplace policies, training, prevention, and intervention initiatives.
Domestic Violence in the Workplace in Canada: Costs to Employers
An infographic based on statistics gathered from the "Can Work Be Safe When Home Isn't?" Pan-Canadian Survey on Domestic Violence and the Workplace.
Domestic Violence in the Canadian Workplace: Are Coworkers Aware?
Using data from a pan-Canadian sample of 8,429 men and women, this report examines: (1) awareness of coworker DV victimization and perpetration; (2) the warning signs of DV victimization and perpetration recognized by workers; (3) whether DV victims are more likely than nonvictims to recognize DV and its warning signs in the workplace; and (4) the impacts of DV that workers perceive on victims’/perpetrators’ ability to work.
Implementation of Domestic Violence Clauses - An Employer's Perspective
In November 2014, the School of Social Sciences at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) jointly funded a project investigating the implementation of ‘Domestic Violence Clauses’ (DV clauses) in select industrial agreements. The purpose of this project is to analyse the effects of implementing the DV clauses from an employers perspective. Researchers from the Gendered Violence Research Network (GVRN) at UNSW conducted an online survey of employer experiences of the implementation of DV clauses where they have been negotiated as part of their enterprise agreement or award or implemented through directives.
Issue Brief: Impact of Domestic Violence on Workers and the Workplace - ILO Experts Group Meeting on a Convention on Violence against Women and Men at Work
This report identifies and addresses domestic violence at work; national impacts of the domestic violence at work survey findings; estimated costs to productivity; the range of legislative and industrial practices; examples of employer support for DV protections; and cutting edge practices.
Key Findings of National Survey on the Impact of Domestic Violence on Workers and in Workplaces in the Philippines. Joint ITUC-AP?Philippine Affiliates Report
Philippines, 2015
Between June 2015 – September 2015, the International Trade Union Confederation-Asia Pacific in cooperation with Philippine affiliates, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Federation of Free Workers (FFW) and Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), conducted a national online survey on the impact of domestic violence on workers and in workplaces. The full report will be released in November 2015.
Productivity Gains from Workplace Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence (New Zealand, 2014)
In this study, economist Suzanne Snively finds that domestic violence will cost New Zealand employers at least $368 million over the next year and that workplace protections can help reduce this cost and increase productivity.
Safe at Home, Safe at Work? National Domestic Violence and the Workplace Survey (Australia, 2011)
This pioneering report is product of a comprehensive national survey of over 3,600 employees, conducted by the Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse in conjunction with Micromex in accordance with University of New South Wales ethics approval. It provides clear evidence of the prevalence of domestic violence as it affects the Australian workforce and a focused assessment of impacts of domestic violence on workers and workplaces.
The Impacts of Domestic Violence on Workers and the Workplace
The aims of this study were to assess the frequency of domestic violence among workers in New Zealand, gain insight into the impact of domestic violence on worker productivity, absenteeism and impaired work performance, and learn about what policies, procedures and attitudes surround victims dealing with the effects of domestic violence while employed. A survey was distributed by the New Zealand Public Service Association (PSA) to 10,000 randomly selected members. A total of 1,626 valid responses were received (16% response rate).
