Employer guidance on helping staff affected by domestic violence and abuse

Safe at Home Safe at Work publication aims to assist employers and trade unions navigate issues associated with domestic violence and abuse

The Safe at Home Safe at Work guide has been produced as a joint initiative between the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) and the Northern Irish Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NIC-ICTU).

It aims to provide guidance for employers on how to support employees affected by
domestic violence and abuse.

Helping employers support staff affected by domestic violence or abuse

This guide will help employers:

• Understand their legal obligations in terms of employee health and safety, discrimination, dismissals, human rights and equality duties when supporting employees affected by domestic abuse or violence.
• Consult with employees and trade unions, where appropriate, to develop, implement and maintain a domestic violence and abuse policy taking into account the law and best practice.
• Publicise the domestic violence and abuse policy, including sources of help and support for those experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
• Consider a programme of training for all employees but specifically managers and HR professionals.
• Foster a culture of openness that will help to break the silence around this important issue, encourage conversations to happen so that employees feel comfortable raising issues and seeking help.
• Review all other associated workplace policies that may interact with the domestic violence and abuse policy to ensure consistency across all policies.

Safe at Home Safe at Work guidance

Access the Safe at Home Safe at Work guidance.

First published 6 October 2022