Why should workplaces care about family & domestic violence?

Family & domestic violence is not just a private or personal issue. When an employee is living with family & domestic violence, there are often very real costs and negative impacts that flow to the workplace.

Workplace & Economic costs
Within the population of women who have experienced violence, or are currently experiencing violence, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates around one in six are part of the workforce.
This means that a significant number of Australian workplaces will be impacted by women’s experiences of family & domestic violence.
Specifically;

• Decreased staff performance and productivity

• Increased staff turnover and absenteeism

Impacts on employees
The 2011 National Domestic Violence and the Workplace Survey found that nearly half (48%) of respondents who reported experiencing family & domestic violence said the violence had affected their ability to get to work.
The main impact of violence was on work performance - 16% of victims and survivors reported being distracted, tired or unwell and 10% needed to take time off work.

The impact of violence against women is seen in workplaces as it affects staff retention, presenteeism, absenteeism and morale, while undermining productivity. Kate Fitz-Gibbon says “Instead of just incurring the costs of this violence, workplaces can make a real difference in addressing violence from the outset, and helping to prevent it” (2024).