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Domestic Violence and the Workplace: Do We Know Too Much of Nothing? (From Workplace Violence: Issues, Trends, Strategies, P 97-120, 2005, Vaughan Bowie, Bonnie S. Fisher, et al. eds. -- See NCJ-213221)

NCJ Number
213226
Author(s)
Bonnie S. Fisher; Corinne Peek-Asa
Date Published
2005
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This chapter critically examines the current body of research and recommendations regarding violence between intimate partners (domestic violence) that occurs in the workplace of one or both partners.
Abstract
The first section provides an overview of the prevalence and effects of domestic violence in the workplace by addressing three issues. First, the chapter presents statistics on homicide, sexual and physical assaults, and stalking committed in the workplace and stemming from domestic conflict. Second, the chapter discusses the limitations in current methods for collecting data on workplace violence related to domestic disputes. Third, the chapter summarizes research that identifies the harms that domestic violence perpetrated in the workplace causes the victim-employee, the perpetrator-employee, their coworkers, and their employers. The second section of the chapter discusses the strengths and limitations of key recommendations for reducing the threat and incidence of domestic violence perpetrated in the workplace. Some recommendations are to offer flexibility in the work schedule and leave options of the victim-employee; training employers/managers in how to talk to a victim-employee about his/her situation; and training supervisors in recognizing the warning signs of domestic-violence victimization. Other recommendations are for employers to learn and communicate to employees various options for protection available to domestic-violence victims; control access to employee work areas and conduct electronic surveillance of workplace parking lots; and develop a personal safety plan for the victim-employee. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the knowledge gaps on domestic violence in the workplace, with attention to identification, prevention, and response by employers and their organizations. 3 tables and 41 references