Exploring employee intimate partner violence (IPV) disclosures in the workplace

ABSTRACT

More than 500 employees of a large corporation participated in a web-based survey on workplace health and relationships. Mixed method data were analyzed to better understand intimate partner violence (IPV) workplace disclosures, including disclosure recipients and perceived helpfulness of responses. Statistical comparisons were made to assess the relationship between IPV experiences and disclosures and perceptions of workplace supportiveness. About one in five employees reported experiencing IPV during their work tenure. Survivors were more than twice as likely to disclose to coworkers compared to supervisors, employee assistance, or human resources. Although survivors tended to report helpful workplace responses, nearly 20% of survivors experienced an unhelpful workplace response. Survivors of IPV most frequently cited interpersonal support when asked to describe a helpful workplace response but also valued instrumental support, such as receiving workplace accommodations and resource information. Survivors of IPV perceived the workplace as less supportive and less accommodating than employees who did not report IPV. To successfully address IPV across the organization, all employees need information, training and support, as well as clear, specific IPV policies and protocols. Organizations should promote an organizational culture that supports survivors of IPV to facilitate access to critical resources and enhance employee wellness, safety, and productivity.

KEYWORDS:

• Intimate partner violence
• organizational culture
• workplace disclosure