Written by Robert D. Sollars
A question that every managerial person needs to know the answer to. You ask why, it’s a personal matter, isn’t it? Yes, it is a personal matter between the employee and their partner. However, if it comes into the business, then it becomes their business!
40% of all workplace violence (WPV)incidents start as domestic violence (DV). Therefore, it can intrude upon the organization in a number of ways. From taking employees away from work to discuss personal issues & problems, either by intrusive personal visits or phone calls. Lost productivity, lost time, and obviously the potential of violence entering the organization.
DV can be an issue that is abusive or inflicts physical, mental, or emotional harm to someone. Constant yelling and berating them is considered DV. This is the one area that isn’t often considered when talking about it. Verbal abuse is harmful if it goes on long enough to an individual who is susceptible to second-guessing themselves or has low esteem.
One fact that must be kept uppermost when defining DV is that anyone can be verbally assaulted. Verbal abuse can be as destructive in marriage as physical abuse. Many incidents of WPV involve verbal abuse and assaults. Healthcare workers incur the verbal wrath of patient’s innumerable times in their careers. Sometimes this translates to the physical. And in many cases, DV translates into the workplace, just as easily as a patient with mental issues.
This is why it’s vital to think about it, in your organization. If an incident of DV enters your workplace, it rarely remains confined to the significant others involved. Friends or relatives will join the fray or be caught in the cross-fire, figuratively or real. And in either event, the company could be liable for injuries because of it. That cost could eventually be the organization itself through bankruptcy or loss of credibility.
I May Be Blind, but My Vision Is Crystal Clear
Copyright 2020 Robert D. Sollars
