Domestic violence in the workplace: Minimizing the risk

The effects of domestic violence are not limited to victims; at least 44 percent of those who work with a victim of domestic violence report feeling personally impacted. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Domestic violence may frequently occur behind closed doors, but the repercussions of abuse have the potential to spill over into the workplace.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness of this important and difficult topic. For organizations who may employ either victims or perpetrators, domestic violence can impact the individuals involved as well as those around them, leading to a ripple effect of lost productivity, legal concerns, and other costs, not to mention the risk of an incident occurring at work.