HR Professionals and business managers are reluctant to pry into employee’s personal lives. That being said, many company leaders agree that domestic violence is an important issue. A survey by the University of Arkansas four years ago indicates as many as 1 in 10 employees are being abused. Since the economic downturn, domestic violence appears to have only increased, at least locally. What can you do as an employer? The Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence suggests creating a Domestic Violence Prevention Program. To do so follow these steps…

1- Organize a multidisciplinary team to oversee the process.

2- Develop a corporate policy for addressing intimate partner violence.

3- Provide training: recognize, respond, and refer.

4- Build awareness through workplace communication.

5- Enlist employees’ help to ensure a violence free workplace.

6- Broaden communication to include the community, important stakeholders in the company’s industry and other organizations.