[Ohio-Talk] Preventing Domestic Violence in the Workplace: Part 1

[Cheryl Fields]

Fellow Federationists, Please take time to read these posts over the
next few weeks.
Thank you, Cheryl and Ali
From: Jobs <
jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org>
 Friday, October 5, 2018
Subject: [Jobs] Preventing Domestic Violence in the Workplace Part 1

This is the first post in a 3-part series for October. Please feel
free to pass along to anyone who may benefit:

Preventing domestic violence in the workplace-Part 1

It doesn’t matter whether you believe domestic violence (DV) is a
Serious problem or not, because it is a serious problem for victims
And the businesses they work for. The reason?  48% of all workplace
Violence (WPV) incidents begin because of it. Unwittingly the entire
Staff, not to mention   human resources and security, is affected by
It.

Unfortunately, I know of a few women who have been visited by DV. Some
Were emotional, sexual, and others were physical. This is a personal
Issue for me for that exact reason. The reasoning behind these posts
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month is show how we as security
And hopefully any human resources professionals as well how we can
Assist any victims. For friends it is bad enough, but for family
Members…

The issue becomes significant for businesses, and all of us, since DV
Creeps into our businesses and creates chaos, havoc, & destruction on
Everyone, whether they witnessed it or just know someone affected by
Being injured, threatened, or had the s*** scared out of them.

DV produces pandemonium amongst everyone involved, both inside the
Business and personal lives, think of an active shooter, which can
Easily evolve from DV, and the trauma it brings inside of a business.
It can literally cause trauma for decades. If the company is made
Aware of the potential, and victimization of an employee, and does
Nothing to combat it before it enters the business, then they can be
Held liable for the injuries, including death, and devastation that
Can result.

A fatality doesn’t necessarily have to have occurred for it to be
Injurious. Especially if you tally the emotional trauma and
Psychological damage done to individuals. Usually you will never know
Who is mentally fragile until an incident occurs and then it’s too
Late to prevent it, and the ensuing litigation.

A couple of statistics that may bring home DV to anyone who may not
Have been visited by its insidious effects;

48% of all WPV incidents are related to DV
3 – 4 women are murdered by their significant other every day of the
Year. Most are not at work
Murder is the #1 cause of death for women while at work
3-5 billion annually in lost productivity, absenteeism, and health
Care. This is probably significantly higher

A list of DV incidents, just the high profile alone, could go on for
An entire library of books. There are literally millions of DV
Incidents every single year. And while most DV incidents are forgotten
About soon after and rarely lead to death it has the same effect on
The employee (s).

Everyone gets a little distraught from time-to-time and scream at our
Significant others once in a while. We may even call them names that
We later apologize and regret. But for some people, sometimes that
Anger can explode into physical contact that can hurt long after the
Bruises, cuts, welts, broken bones, & scratches have healed.

As for the statistics above, 3-4 women are killed every day by their
Significant other. This is the same number that was killed during WPV
Incidents every day in the 90s. We were all in such an up-roar then
Over that. Where is the outrage over DV because of these numbers? Is
It because it happens at home and not at a business and therefore none
Of our stinking business? And besides it’s a personal matter. Right?

The statistics can be unsettling for some. But after you have digested
And accepted them, do your own research on them, as fact; the next
Question is how can you protect your employees from a DV and WPV
Incident? For both victims and co-workers alike. It’s more than just
Protecting the business and its financial resources. In the next
Couple of posts, I’ll discuss a few ways to help minimize the incident
And prevent such tragedy in your business.

DV is not just a personal issue, especially when it comes into the
Workplace and threatens co-workers, customers, and the well-being of
Everyone working, shopping, or visiting. It is an issue that literally
Can make some employees fear for their lives, whether they are the
Victim, or target by association because the perpetrator will stop at
Nothing, no one, to kill or maim their intended victim, or not.

Emotional and psychological trauma can & will cost your business
Thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands. If the incident turns
Physical then that trauma can potentially cost your business millions
And force it out of business. That will cost your employees much more
Than just lingering mental trauma.

Think your insurance will cover all that expense? Maybe or maybe not.
If the business knew about a potential threat and did nothing, except
Perfunctory lip service about it, then the business itself could be
Totally and wholly liable for it. That is the fact that could cost you
A bankruptcy and closure of it.

Many television shows and movies have shown DV in a humorous tone. And
While it can be put into a humorous light, it is seldom funny to the
Victim. The Honeymooners, All in the Family, & Family Guy. There was
Never any doubt that Ralph Kramden and Archie Bunker loved Alice &
Edith, but the yelling, berating, & threats were all a part of DV.

As security & human resource professionals, and just plain human
Beings, we need to recognize the potential of DV to invade our work
Spaces and cause injury to our most valuable assets, the people who
Make the business run. Those injuries will typically not just be
Relegated to the abused employee. Many times, it will spill over to
Co-workers and if it’s a customer or visitor…

Robert D. Sollars helps organizations to safeguard the lives of their
Employees and students and lessen their risk of violence, as well as
With other security–related issues, using time–tested and proven
Ideas.

Website:
www.robertdsollars.com

Twitter: twitter at robertsollars2

Facebook: Facebook.com/Robert d sollars

Email:
robertsollars2 at gmail.com

Phone: 480-251-5197

He is the author of three books on preventing violence in both schools
and businesses, all available on Amazon.

His book–related website, with full information on his most recent
book, Murder in the Classroom: A Practical Guide for Prevention, is:
http://www.dldbooks.com/robertdsollars/

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