Unions urged to act on domestic violence

The TUC has published a guide to help unions and their employers assist the victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence: a guide for the workplace, points out that while employers have no legal obligation to act over domestic violence, the existence of a sensible policy is a goal for all workplaces to work towards.

Yet while the problem affects many women, the guide warns that employees might not want to share details of their private lives with colleagues or managers. The guide advises that anyone approaching a woman with a violent partner needs to proceed very sensitively.

Many workplaes will have employees who have experienced violence froma partner. The 2001 British Crime Survey shows that one in five of all violent crimes reported last year were of a domestic nature.

The guide contains a list of organisations that women experiencing domestic violence can contact. It also provides practical advice on drawing up a workplace policy, by including examples from organisations such as Leeds City Council which has had a domestic violence policy in place for three years and has a domestic violence liaison person in every department.

Domestic violence: a guide for the workplace costs £20 (£5 to TUC affiliated unions) and is available from TUC Publications on 020 7467 1294.