Tag: workplace

Domestic Abuse is a Workplace Issue – What Employers Need to Know

Overview:       

As an employer understanding and acting on domestic abuse as an HR and employment issue is critical in both duty of care to the employee but also as there’s a very real cost of domestic abuse in the workplace.  Changes in employee wellbeing, performance, and productivity might  be linked to an employee experiencing domestic abuse. Often friends or colleagues are the first person to spot the signs or who the person turns to for support.  For those experiencing domestic abuse, the workplace may be a place of safety or for some may be a source of risk.

How can you respond and ensure your workplace is safe for team members experiencing domestic abuse?  How would you address a perpetrator of domestic abuse in your workforce? Where would you refer and what can you do?

The session seeks to support staff to understand how domestic abuse can impact the employee at work,  explore the various tactics and behaviours abusers use and equip you with the skills to spot the signs of domestic abuse and the knowledge and confidence to how to signpost to support or specialist services.

Learning outcomes:

  • Understand the impact of domestic abuse on individuals and workplaces.
  • Recognise the signs and symptoms of someone experiencing domestic abuse.
  • Feel more confident in asking the question and responding effectively to a domestic abuse disclosure or a perpetrator of domestic abuse.
  • Increase awareness of how to implement supportive responses to domestic abuse in line with workplace policy and guidance.
  • Understand how supporting or working alongside someone experiencing or perpetrating domestic abuse may impact on colleagues, supervisors and managers.
  • Feel more confident in recognising, responding and supporting colleagues experiencing or perpetrating domestic abuse in the workplace.

Facilitator: Judy has worked with Women’s Aid since 2011. A qualified IDAA and a certified Safe & Together Trainer, Judy regularly provides training and support to a wide range of multi agency statutory and voluntary bodies including the COPFS, Police Scotland, Social Work, Law Society Scotland, Criminal Justice Workers, Health and Social Care, Housing Organisations and Violence Against Women & Girls Partnerships etc.