There
are 60,000 incidents of on-the-job violence each year, and most victims
know their attackers intimately. (Chicago Sun Times, 9/30/96)
If you are experiencing domestic violence:
- Notify your supervisor and the human relations manager
about the circumstances regarding your situation. Discuss options available
to you, e.g., scheduling, safety precautions, employee/family assistance
benefits.
- Contact the University's Faculty & Employee Assistance
Program by calling 243-2643 or 800-847-9355, or visit their webpage.
Their counselors are trained to address issues of domestic violence,
and can provide intervention and referrals for counseling as well as
other resources.
- Submit a recent photo of the perpetrator to your manager
in the event of a confrontation at work.
- Request that all information be treated with confidence
to provide for your safety and well-being.
- If you have a protective order, be sure that the University
Police have a copy of the order, as well as a photo of the batterer.
If you are the co-worker of someone experiencing
domestic violence:
- If you suspect a co-worker is suffering abuse, do not
directly confront her/him since it is important for an individual to
self-disclose for her/his own safety and well-being.
- Express concern and a willingness to listen and be
supportive if needed.
- Offer support by listening and assisting; when an individual
is ready, she/he will confide.
- If a co-worker confides in you, encourage communication
with the human resources manager and her/his supervisor.
- If you witness an incident at work, contact your safety
manager or law enforcement immediately. Make sure that the incident
is documented.
If you are the supervisor or manager of an employee
who is experiencing domestic violence:
- Be aware of unusual absences or behavior and take note
of bruises or emotional distress.
- Contact the Faculty & Employee Assistance Program
to discuss concerns, resources available and ways to support the employee,
such as developing a workplace safety plan and marshalling the resources
of the department, including other employees, as part of the support
system.
- Be familiar with community resources and referrals.
- Maintain confidentiality at all times; be sensitive
to the seriousness of the situation.
- Discuss who is appropriate to speak with the employee;
agree on all forms of communication, e.g., providing the safety manager
with a photo if there is a risk at work.
- Assist the employee in documenting all incidents with
the batterer that occur in the workplace.
- Take action against domestic violence by encouraging
employees to volunteer and by providing financial or in-kind support
to your local domestic violence programs.
Some of this information was gathered from the National
Coalition Against Domestic Violence web page.
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