Domestic violence invades the workplace: strategies for the global business community

Abstract

Business is frequently a “battlefield”, with employees waging war against each other. Three people are murdered in the workplace every day in the USA, while an estimated 1 million workers –18,000 a week – are assaulted each year. Recently, however, business has become increasingly aware of how many acts of workplace violence are linked to domestically‐abusive relationships. This article defines domestic violence and describes the US experience. The article then explores domestic violence in other countries. Next identified is the entry of domestic violence into the workplace, with the costs and legal responsibility of business to address the issue. The article concludes by recommending to the global business community those strategies that have been adopted by the US government and many US companies to mitigate the tragedy of domestic violence that has spilled over into the workplace.