Domestic violence and the workplace.
A TUC survey report
A Home Office report in 2009 found that 20 per cent of victims of domestic abuse had to take a month or more off work in the previous year due to the abuse. Other research has found that 56 per cent of abused women arrive late for work at least five times a month and 53 per cent miss at least three days of work a month.
Union reps are an important part of this picture. For those suffering abuse at home, the workplace can be a place of refuge and safety and a friendly union rep often is the first port of call when seeking help. Reps can support individual members in dealing with management and seeking time off work. Unions also have a role in bargaining for better workplace policies on domestic violence.