TY - JOUR
T1 - Workplace domestic violence leave laws
T2 - Implementation, use, implications
AU - Laharnar, Naima
AU - Perrin, Nancy
AU - Hanson, Ginger
AU - Anger, W. Kent
AU - Glass, Nancy
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
PY - 2015/6/8
Y1 - 2015/6/8
N2 - Purpose Intimate partner violence (IPV), affecting 30 percent of women worldwide, may affect employment and workplace safety. In all, 16 US states adopted laws providing leave for employed survivors. These qualitative findings are from an evaluation of Oregon's state leave law. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The authors interviewed Oregon government employees (n=17) with past year IPV and Oregon supervisors (n=10) of past year IPV survivors. Interviews were transcribed, analyzed and coded. Findings Participants agreed that IPV has an effect on work. They reported positive workplace reactions to IPV disclosure (93 percent positive, 52 percent negative), but also negative reactions (lack of information, confidentiality, supervisor support). Several implications for supervisors were named (workload, being untrained, being a mandatory reporter, workplace safety and confidentiality). Three years after implementation, 74 percent of participants did not know the leave existed, 65 percent of survivors would have used it if known. The main barriers to usage were fear for job, lack of payment, and stigma. The main barriers of implementation were untrained supervisors and lack of awareness. Participants (85 percent) suggested workplace training on IPV, the law and supervisor role. Practical implications Effective implementation and support of the IPV leave law is important to avoid negative consequences for survivors and the workplace. Participants called for an increase in IPV awareness and supervisor training. Originality/value These results provide important recommendations to policymakers, authorities and advocates on development, implementation and evaluation of laws adopted to support employed IPV survivors.
AB - Purpose Intimate partner violence (IPV), affecting 30 percent of women worldwide, may affect employment and workplace safety. In all, 16 US states adopted laws providing leave for employed survivors. These qualitative findings are from an evaluation of Oregon's state leave law. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The authors interviewed Oregon government employees (n=17) with past year IPV and Oregon supervisors (n=10) of past year IPV survivors. Interviews were transcribed, analyzed and coded. Findings Participants agreed that IPV has an effect on work. They reported positive workplace reactions to IPV disclosure (93 percent positive, 52 percent negative), but also negative reactions (lack of information, confidentiality, supervisor support). Several implications for supervisors were named (workload, being untrained, being a mandatory reporter, workplace safety and confidentiality). Three years after implementation, 74 percent of participants did not know the leave existed, 65 percent of survivors would have used it if known. The main barriers to usage were fear for job, lack of payment, and stigma. The main barriers of implementation were untrained supervisors and lack of awareness. Participants (85 percent) suggested workplace training on IPV, the law and supervisor role. Practical implications Effective implementation and support of the IPV leave law is important to avoid negative consequences for survivors and the workplace. Participants called for an increase in IPV awareness and supervisor training. Originality/value These results provide important recommendations to policymakers, authorities and advocates on development, implementation and evaluation of laws adopted to support employed IPV survivors.
KW - Domestic violence
KW - Intimate partner violence
KW - Qualitative research
KW - Supervisor support
KW - Workplace leave law
KW - Workplace policy implementation
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U2 - 10.1108/IJWHM-03-2014-0006
DO - 10.1108/IJWHM-03-2014-0006
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84930034542
SN - 1753-8351
VL - 8
SP - 109
EP - 128
JO - International Journal of Workplace Health Management
JF - International Journal of Workplace Health Management
IS - 2
ER -