A Guide for Employers, Co-workers, and Friends

There are 60,000 incidents of on-the-job violence each year, and most victims know their attackers intimately. (Chicago Sun Times, 9/30/96)

If you are experiencing domestic violence:

• Notify your supervisor and the human relations manager about the circumstances regarding your situation. Discuss options available to you, e.g., scheduling, safety precautions, employee/family assistance benefits.
• Contact the University's Faculty & Employee Assistance Program by calling 243-2643 or 800-847-9355. Their counselors are trained to address issues of domestic violence, and can provide intervention and referrals for counseling as well as other resources.
• Submit a recent photo of the perpetrator to your manager in the event of a confrontation at work.
• Request that all information be treated as confidential to provide for your safety and well-being.
• If you have a protective order, be sure that the University Police have a copy of the order, as well as a photo of the batterer.

If you are the co-worker of someone experiencing domestic violence:

• If you suspect a co-worker is suffering abuse, do not directly confront her/him since it is important for an individual to self-disclose for her/his own safety and well-being.
• Express concern and a willingness to listen and be supportive if needed.
• Offer support by listening and assisting; when an individual is ready, she/he will confide.
• If a co-worker confides in you, encourage communication with the human resources manager and her/his supervisor.
• If you witness an incident at work, contact your safety manager or law enforcement immediately. Make sure that the incident is documented.

If you are the supervisor or manager of an employee who is experiencing domestic violence:

• Be aware of unusual absences or behavior and take note of bruises or emotional distress.
• Contact the Faculty & Employee Assistance Program to discuss concerns, resources available and ways to support the employee, such as developing a workplace safety plan and marshalling the resources of the department, including other employees, as part of the support system.
• Be familiar with community resources and referrals.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times; be sensitive to the seriousness of the situation.
• Discuss who is appropriate to speak with the employee; agree on all forms of communication, e.g., providing the safety manager with a photo if there is a risk at work.
• Assist the employee in documenting all incidents with the batterer that occur in the workplace.
• Take action against domestic violence by encouraging employees to volunteer and by providing financial or in-kind support to your local domestic violence programs.
• Invite domestic violence advocates to educate on issues of domestic violence in the workplace.

* Some of this information was gathered from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website.