I am an Employer or Coworker

Overwhelmingly, an employees work performance and even work place will be impacted by domestic violence they experience at home.  This puts an incredible responsibility on your shoulders to keep all your staff safe.

As an employer, you can offer support and resources where others cannot. Yet, for a victim of domestic violence, reaching out to an employer will not be natural, you must learn how to be aware of the signs and respond appropriately.

Your first responsibility is to believe the victim.

Domestic abuse is already happening in your workplace

• 19% of employers have dealt with a domestic violence issue in the past year and another 16 percent of organizations have had an incident in the past five years.
• Domestic violence costs American businesses $1.8 billion in lost productivity each year.
• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced domestic violence and 74% of victims report that their abuser has harassed them on the job.

If you’re uncertain about how to handle a suspected case of abuse or want to give a victim a number to call for help, we are here for you.  Use the Sheltering Wings 24/7 Helpline

We offer training programs for small and large businesses for your HR Staff, management, all employees and more.  Contact Melissa Echerd at (317)386-5061 to learn more.

How can we tell if an employee is being abused?

The indicators of possible domestic violence vary widely, as does the nature of the abuse. If you notice one or more of these signs, you should be concerned:

• numerous personal calls that leave the employee upset
• strange bruises and frequent odd medical complaints
• unexpected and unplanned time off or increased absences
• sudden drops in productivity from normally productive employees
• withdrawing from social situations with fellow employees
• unusual gifts and flowers arriving at the workplace
• attempts to cover bruises with long sleeves or sunglasses

How can we help an employee who is being abused?

First, recognize that most victims of domestic abuse are embarrassed and afraid, and may even be in denial that abuse is occurring. If you call our 24-hour Crisis Line at (317) 745-1496, our team will listen to the situation and offer advice.

You can best protect a victim by encouraging them to get help. If that person isn’t sure that he or she is being abused, have him or her answer these questions:

What can we do to prevent domestic violence?

Just as employers educate workers about wellness-related issues such as exercise, nutrition, and substance abuse, you can help your team better understand the realities of domestic violence. Sheltering Wings can provide in-service presentations for your staff and managers about what they can do to prevent and respond to abuse. We also have resource cards and information that you can place in restrooms, break rooms, locker rooms, and other areas. When you take an active role to educate your employees, you send a clear message that there are resources available and you are willing to help.