The Unseen Shift: Domestic abuse is a workplace issue
“At one job, I’d already used all my annual leave by the time I found out I’d need two more weeks off for the trial in September. When I then had to take a few more days for my mental health on top, I simply got an email telling me I wasn’t right for the company and they’d let me go. No conversation about unpaid leave, no attempt to understand or work something out — just a blanket dismissal.” -Katie, survivor
Abuse should not be a barrier to any woman’s success at work.
As London’s largest domestic abuse and sexual violence charity, survivors tell us that, as well as their safety, abuse robs every aspect of their normality: a home, stability for their children, financial independence and even their sense of self.
This impact extends to the workplace. What looks like struggles with time management and difficulty focusing is often a juggle of court dates, police interviews and health appointments. The fear, exhaustion and grief don’t disappear when a survivor clocks in for the day or opens their laptop: it follows them into every client or customer interaction, every meeting, every deadline.
We know most employers want to help, but domestic abuse is complicated and deeply personal. Without the right guidance, it’s easy to freeze, say the wrong thing or miss the moment a colleague needs someone to notice.
That’s why we are helping give employers the confidence and tools to support and stand by survivors, with true commitment and real understanding.
One in four women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. That’s not an abstract statistic, that’s a colleague. That’s someone on your team, right now, trying to get through the day.
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Domestic abuse and the workplace – survivor stories:
Get help
How to get help from Solace Womens Aid – free, confidential advice and support for women in London affected by abuse.