Partner Violence: Why Should Business Get

Involved?

Kim Wells, Executive DirectorCorporate Alliance to End Partner Violence

Partner Violence:What Are We Talking About?

• Partner violence is abusive behavior

between two people in an intimate

relationship

• The highest risk factor for being

involved with partner violence as an

adult is exposure to violence between

parents in family of origin (US)

Partner Violence and the Workplace: Medical Costs

• Medical expenses from domestic violence cost US businesses 3 to 5 billion a year

• Women experiencing partner violence have increased health care costs -- $1,775 more a year than a general female enrollee in one study

• Direct medical costs associated with domestic violence in the US are 1.8 BILLION a year!

Partner Violence and the Workplace: What Do Employers Say?

• 94% of corporate security directors rank partner violence as a high security problem

• 57% percent of senior corporate executives said domestic violence is a major problem in society:– One-third of them thought this problem has a

negative impact on their bottom lines– 40% said they were personally aware of

employees affected by domestic violence– 66% said their company's financial

performance would benefit from addressing domestic violence among their employees

Partner Violence and the Workplace: What Do Those Assisting Employees Say?

• 78% of human resource professionals consider partner violence a workplace issue

• A survey of Employee Assistance Providers found that within one year, 83% dealt with an employee with a restraining order against a partner, and 71% dealt with an employee (or employees) being stalked at work by a current or former partner (71%)

Partner Violence and the Workplace: What Do Employees

Experience?

• One study found that 24-30% of abused working women lost their jobs due to their partner violence situation

• 75% of victims are harassed at work by the abuser

• 37% of those involved in partner violence felt its impact reflected in lateness, missing work, difficulty keeping a job, and difficulty advancing in careers

Partner Violence and the Workplace: Batterers At Work

• Most abusers report being distracted and occupied at work

• Some abusers make costly and dangerous mistakes on the job as a result

• Most abusers use company phones, email, and vehicles to perpetrate domestic violence

• Most abusers use paid work time to go to court (average 7 business days)

Partner Violence and the Workplace: Employer Liability

Issues

• Occupational safety and health laws

• Family and medical leave laws

• Victim assistance laws

Partner Violence and the Workplace: The Ultimate

Productivity Loss & Liability Issue

• Partner violence contributes to lost productivity due to premature death: Homicide is the #1 leading cause of death on the job for women, and 20% of those were murdered by their partner at the workplace

History of CAEPV

• Founded in 1995 by State Farm Insurance Companies as a nonprofit alliance of corporations with a mission to educate and aid in the prevention of partner violence

• The only national nonprofit in the US founded by corporations themselves with this mission

CAEPV Membership

• Currently corporate members represent over a million employees across the United States

• Members include large and small private employers, units of local government, and service providers themselves

Partner Violence and the Workplace: The Role of

Government

• Units of Local Government

• Federal Government

Partner Violence and the Workplace VESSA Legislation

• What is the Victims’ Economic Security And Safety Act (VESSA)? VESSA is designed to promote employment stability, economic security and safety of victims of domestic and sexual violence

How Do You Create A WorkplaceProgram?

• Step One: Organize a cross-functional team to oversee the process

• Step Two: Announce your involvement in the issue

• Step Three: Develop a corporate policy on partner violence

Creating a WorkplaceProgram

• Step Four: Train supervisors and managers on recognizing partner violence and handling situations

• Step Five: Build awareness through workplace communications

• Step Six: Involve employees in making your plan a success

Creating aWorkplace Program

Step SevenBroaden communications to include

membersof the community including stakeholders inyour industry and other organizations

Reach out to community organizations

What Are US Companies DoingTo Address the Issue?

Internal Responses• Workplace Violence Policy• Train Managers• Counseling and Referrals• Leave and Benefit Policies• Education• Security

What Are US Companies Doing To Address the Issue?

External Responses• Partnering with service agencies• Volunteerism• In Kind Donations• Financial Support• Prevention Programs

What Are US Companies Doing To Address the Issue?

Examples• Altria Group, Inc.• American Express• Liz Claiborne

What Are US Companies Doing To Address the Issue?

Examples• CIGNA• Mary Kay• State Farm Insurance Companies

Possible Warnings SignsDoes The Employee:

• Have excessive absences or tardiness?• Have a sudden or sustained drop in productivity?• Seem unable to concentrate or appear distracted,

depressed or anxious?• Have frequent unexplained bruises or injuries?• Receive excessive calls, visits or faxes from their

partner? Do these interruptions seem to cause distress to the employee?

• Frequently break appointments? Are they unable to travel for work?

• Wear concealing clothing even in warm weather?

What Should You Do When Dealing With Possible Victims?

• Encourage them to talk in a safe, private place• Listen and believe but don’t judge• Express concern for their safety• Help them understand it is not their fault• Let them know help is available at your

company• Offer your continued support - leaving takes

time• Express your admiration for their courage• Respect their privacy

What Should You Do When Dealing With Possible Abusers?

• Put policies in writing• Assess the risks• Respond Appropriately• Discipline or terminate carefully• Provide Counseling• Take Action

But What About?. . .

Invasion of Privacy?

Confidentiality?

But What About?. . .

When Both Parties Work For You?

What Difference Does It Make?

Within the Workplace: • Increases Productivity• Decreases Absenteeism and

Turnover• Decreases Liability• Enhances Safety And Security

What Difference Does It Make?

Outside the Workplace: • Increases Awareness

• Enhances Communities

• Save Lives

Next Steps

• Make a commitment today to do something to prevent partner violence

• Ending partner violence, whether in the workplace or in the community—IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS