Domestic violence is a complex social issue with far-reaching health, legal, and economic consequences. International research has increasingly recognised that the effects of domestic violence extend beyond the domestic sphere and into the work lives and workplaces of victims.However, to date, no research exists in New Zealand examining the impact of domestic violence on workers and their workplaces.

The aims of this study were to assess the frequency of domestic violence among workers, gain insight into the impact of domestic violence on worker productivity, absenteeism and impaired work performance, and learn about what policies, procedures and attitudes surround victims dealing with
the effects of domestic violence while employed.

A self-report questionnaire modified from the Australian Domestic Violence Workplace Rights and Entitlements Project (McFerran, 2011a) was distributed by the New Zealand Public Service Association (PSA) to 10,000 randomly selected members. A total of 1,626 valid responses were received (16% response rate). The data provided was descriptive and was compared using chi-square analysis according to age, gender, sector of the PSA, employment type, and employment role.
The majority of participants in this study were women (75%). Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to over 65, with the majority over the age of 35 (85%). Nearly 80% of participants were in permanent full time employment and 55% of participants reported having some experience with domestic violence either in their personal lives or through someone they knew. Those with personal experience of domestic violence made up 26% of participants and, of them, more than half (58%) reported being
in paid employment at the time the domestic violence occurred.
Domestic violence affected the ability to get to work for 38% of participants, with 62% reporting that physical injury or restraint was responsible for their difficulties and 65% reporting that concerns over childcare were responsible. Over half (53%) of participants in paid employment reported that they
needed to take time off from work because of the abuse. Most participants reported that the domestic violence impacted on their work performance by either making them late for work (84%) or making them distracted, tired or unwell (16%). Slightly more than half of participants (53%) did not disclose their abuse to anyone in their workplace, with privacy and shame being the most commonly cited reasons (92%).

There is a need to increase awareness of domestic violence as a workplace issue in New Zealand. The economic and resource costs of domestic violence for employers and victims are likely to be significant. Workers experiencing domestic violence would benefit from legislation and workplace policies and practices that would provide job protection and make resources available to help victims leave abusive situations. (Author's abstract).