We know that domestic violence doesn’t stay at home when its victims go to work. Its effects are far-reaching and often manifest themselves in the workplace through victims’ absenteeism, loss of productivity and high insurance costs. Seventy-five percent of victims are harassed on the job, and abusive partners often use company resources, computers and email to carry-out such harassment. Through absenteeism alone, family violence costs employers between $3-5 billion dollars annually and approximately 175,000 hours of lost productivity.

Most central Ohio employers do not have systems or guidelines to handle these potentially explosive and dangerous situations, and many do not realize the impact that domestic violence can have on their companies and employees.

The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence works with employers to help them develop effective policies and procedures for dealing with domestic and family violence. The Coalition provides training and appropriate resource materials to help employers comprehensively address the issue. Research shows that the workplace is one of the places where a victim can turn for help.

The Coalition also provides Business Forums to help educate the business community about this issue. On Tuesday, February 26, 2008, a Business Forum was held at Limited Brands. The audience learned about liability, costs and the impact of domestic violence on the workplace, and also learn how local companies have successfully implemented organizational policy and training in their businesses. Featured company speakers were from The Ohio State University, JP Morgan Chase, Grange Insurance and Limited Brands. By addressing the issue of family violence, employers have the ability to save lives, provide a safe work environment and improve their company’s bottom line.