As many women who have suffered domestic violence will tell you, it does not necessarily stop when you go to work. It is not uncommon for women to be stalked on their way to and/or from work… and it may not stop there! Threatening phone calls made to the workplace, or flowers routinely sent to the office are widely reported. Not only will this have the effect of making the woman feel insecure and fearful, but it will probably have an effect on the quality of the woman’s work.
It is important that we remember that not everyone works in an office block. Many people’s jobs are outdoor and involve regular contact with the general public. With these types of jobs it is even easier for an abuser to ‘insert’ himself into the woman’s worklife.
Studies over the last decade have shown that woman who suffer from domestic violence are less productive in their job. They are more likely to become less focused on their work and are more likely to take more time off sick from their place of employment due to stress.
If you are a victim of domestic violence at work it is important that you share your experiences with someone you can trust. Confiding in a friend at work will help relieve the burden a little, but will not stop the problem. If you feel able, we suggest that you speak to your boss or line manager. If this is not possible they try to speak to somebody in Human Resources (HR) or personnel. You need to be aware that these discussions may not be confidential, especially if the welfare of work colleagues is put in jeopardy by the actions of the abuser.
Alternatively, if you are not comfortable following the above options then try contacting your workers union if you are a member. They should be able to offer you independent advice and put you in touch with professionals who can help you. In each case when you contact the union, be sure to find out if what you tell them will be treated as confidential or not.