Toll free:
+1-800-385-1627
Cart:
0 items

Domestic Violence in the Workplace – What to look for and how to respond

Duration:
90 Minutes
Access:
6 months
Webinar Id:
700195
Register Now

Recorded Version

$195. One Participant

Recorded Version: Unlimited viewing for 6 months ( Access information will be emailed 24 hours after the completion of live webinar)

Overview:

Domestic violence is the fastest growing type of workplace violence. It is considered workplace violence because its consequences can extend beyond the home and into the workplace.

This workshop will raise awareness about the prevalence and effects of domestic violence in the workplace. It will provide suggestions on how employers can best address this issue. Emphasis will be given to certain industries such as health and community care sector employers that are more prone to domestic violence impacting the safety of employees.

Employers and workers often do not recognize domestic violence as a workplace hazard. Discussion will show how this is not a personal and private issue that an employer can do nothing about. Domestic violence is a workplace violence as soon as it occurs in the workplace and can threaten the safety of not only the employee victim but also his or her co-workers, supervisors and others related to the business. All this can lead to significant cost if it is not addressed appropriately. The workshop will outline proactive steps employers can take to prevent domestic violence from entering the workplace and minimize its negative effects. It will provide practical suggestions that can be adopted to raise awareness and reduce the risk that domestic violence can bring to the workplace.

How to recognize domestic violence will be covered. Behaviors and actions have been identified as those used by perpetrators to interfere with their victims’ work and will be discussed. Signs of domestic violence can be: attempts to prevent the victim from getting to work; interfering with the victim while at work; and physical signs such as bruises, depression or trouble concentrating may be observed.

Once domestic violence transfers to the workplace it can adversely affect the victim, co-workers, supervisors and the employer. How domestic violence impacts the workplace will be discussed. Reduced productivity, increased absenteeism; higher turnover, decreased employee morale, strained relations, potential harm to people at work will be discussed.

The General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970 states that each employer shall furnish to each of its employees a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its employee. Employers who fail to comply with this general duty clause face potential civil and criminal sanctions.

Participants will learn how to establish a safety plan to minimize the impact of domestic violence when it enters the workplace. Employers can be proactive and put the following precautions in place regardless of whether domestic violence incidents or complaints have been reported in the past. A solid plan should include a clear policy on domestic violence; resources to assist victims; on-going education to better understand domestic violence; policies on paid time off, procedures for handling a report of violence; and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

A plan to prevent domestic violence from entering the workplace has a better chance of success if the employer is well informed of what is happening with its employees. Open disclosure therefore decreases the risk for everyone since the most effective prevention strategies can be implemented when the employer is aware of the actual threats.

Discussion will show the importance of disclosure and encouragement to discuss domestic issues that can become a physical risk to the employee and others. A case study will illustrate how the employer, supervisor, and co-workers might respond to a domestic violence situation with and without disclosure from the victim.

The workshop will help employers establish prevention measures and procedures and build a resource list to help victims and provide a safe work environment for all. Recognizing that every organization is different, being prepared and having an idea of what you can do as an employer will minimize the impact of this serious issue on the workplace.

Why should you attend : The General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970 states that each employer shall furnish to each of its employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its employees. Employers who fail to comply with this general duty clause face potential civil and criminal sanctions. The federal government has not issued any formal standards on workplace violence. It has, however, issued guidelines for workplace prevention in the health care and social service industry and made recommendations for those employed in late-night retail establishments. This webinar will cover some of those theories and recommendations for limiting liability to employers relative to workplace violence.

This workshop will assist employers on how to avoid workplace violence and keep it safe for employees. Failure of the employer to investigate a job applicant’s work experience, character, criminal history and other relevant data prior to hiring may lead to negligence on the part of the employer to keep a safe workplace. An employer who fails to train or supervise its employees may be liable when the employee commits a violent act against a third party.

It is still imperative that employers exercise due care in managing behavioral anomalies and/or criminal acts that may adversely affect its employees, visitors and workplace environment. There is a unique set of challenges that organizations face in their endeavor to mitigate risks. Knowing what to look for to avoid workplace violence is a huge step in minimizing this risk.

Areas Covered in the Session:
  • How to identify if an employee is experiencing domestic violence
  • How to take proactive steps to prevent domestic violence from spreading in the workplace
  • OSHA guidelines regarding workplace safety
  • Establishing a workplace safety plan
  • Resources available to individuals experiencing domestic violence
Who Will Benefit:
  • Employee Relations Managers
  • Human Resource Generalists
  • Supervisors
  • Safety Managers
Instructor:

Kathy Coughlin is co-founder and president of Team HR, a consulting firm specializing in providing solutions to organizations’ human resources challenges. Ms. Coughlin has over twenty-five years of human resources management experience and has held positions of VP Human Resources and Director of Human Resources for med size organizations of 400 employees to large organizations of over 3000 employees.

After starting her career in human resources as a Recruiter & Trainer, she progressed to Human Resources Manager, Assistant Human Resources Officer, Director of Human Resources and VP of Human Resources. Except for her initial assignment, all of her positions have been responsible for the broad spectrum of human resource generalist.

Ms. Coughlin provides employee and supervisor training to large and small businesses, the Small Business Development Center, and is a member of the Palm Beach Community College Business & Industry Training Speakers Bureau.

Coughlin earned her M.S in public administration with an emphasis in healthcare administration from State University of New York and has a B.S. in business administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. She currently is a member of the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, HR Executive Volunteer Corps for the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, Society for Human Resource Managers (SHRM), and advisor to Palm Beach County for Self-Advocacy for people with disabilities.


Recently Viewed