BUILDING SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Dennis Butler, SPHR VP, Workplace Solutions Liz Claiborne Inc.

Domestic violence is abusive or coercive behavior between two people in an intimate relationship. What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence In the Workplace Intimate partner’s behavior that interferes with employee’s ability to safely/securely perform duties at work.

Liz Claiborne’s Involvement With DV Focus on DV began in 1991 Awareness oriented Love Is Not Abuse Launch of DV in the workplace program (2002)

Liz Claiborne’s Workplace Program DV policy in place since early 1990s. Significantly upgraded the program in 2002: Revised our DV in the workplace policy. Established protocol for HR, Legal and Corporate Security for how to handle cases Established a Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT). Trained HR, Security, Managers and Employees.

What Is An Employer’s Role? Recognize – the signs. Respond – appropriately within the context of the workplace. Refer – to the professionals who can assist the employee.

What Is An EAP’s Role ? Expertise – Be sure EAP Counselors have specific expertise in recognizing and responding to DV as a workplace issue and as a co-issue for other cases. Advice – Provide advice to employers about the appropriate response to DV within the context of the workplace, including performance management. Provide resources and training – to employers for their DV in the workplace programs.

Respond - Critical Events and Opportunities Critical Events Visible warning signs and risk factors Should raise possibility of danger Opportunities A chance to intervene Can be missed because of uncertainty or missing information

Critical Events/Missed Opportunities DuPont Inquest

Unusual absence or lateness for work. Sudden or sustained drop in productivity. Unusual signs of anxiety or fear. Frequent, upsetting phone calls, flowers, gifts at the workplace. Isolation, unusual quietness, keeping away from others. Recognizing Domestic Violence – Victims

Unexplained injuries or injuries that do not fit the explanations of how they occurred. Inappropriately dressed/excessive makeup. Minimization and denial of harassment or injuries. Sensitivity about home life or hints of trouble at home. Recognizing Domestic Violence – Victims

Most abusers report being distracted and preoccupied at work. Some abusers make costly and dangerous mistakes on the job as a result. May seem perfectly “normal” to others. Most abusers use company phones, and vehicles to perpetrate domestic violence. Recognizing Domestic Violence – Abusers

Step One: Organize a multi-disciplinary team to oversee the process. Human Resources Legal Security Subject matter experts Your EAP Local DV agency Respond – Creating a Workplace Program

Respond – Creating a Workplace Program Step Two: Develop a corporate policy on domestic violence.

Step Three: Provide training. Response protocol Multi-disciplinary Team (DVRT) Managers Employees Respond – Creating a Workplace Program

Step Four: Build awareness through workplace communications. Recognize, respond, refer Posters Brochures Employee health fairs Department meetings Respond – Creating a Workplace Program

Step Five: Enlist employees’ help in ensuring the workplace is a violence-free zone. Step Six: Broaden communications to include members of the community including stakeholders in your industry and other organizations. Respond – Creating a Workplace Program

Key Points to Remember Integrate the program. –Partnering with your EAP –Integrating with performance management Focus on safety for victim and workplace. Company representatives don’t act as counselors – we are conduits to experts.

More Key Points… Knowing the right referrals is most effective. Policies and protocols are only guidelines. Environment must be open and comfortable.

Love is Not Abuse loveisnotabuse.com Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence Safe At Work Coalition Web Sites For More Information

BUILDING SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE QUESTION AND ANSWER Dennis Butler, SPHR VP, Workplace Solutions Liz Claiborne Inc.