Signs of DFV in the workplace
If you have concerns about the risk to any employee, you can confidentially seek advice from a specialist DFV service.
This can be done without disclosing the identity of the person experiencing the violence. Some signs that an employee may be experiencing DFV include:
Changes in work outputs or attendance
Victims/survivors of violence may be prevented from, or delayed in getting to work, or the perpetrator may frequently make contact at work.
This may lead to:
- Noticeable changes in attendance, lateness or leaving work suddenly or early
- Absenteeism without explanation
- Needing time off at short notice
- Reduced quality of work, missing deadlines or poor performance
- Increasing hours at work (to avoid going home)
- Frequent interruptions or harassment at work by DFV perpetrator
Visible physical changes or signs
- Visible bruising or injuries that don’t match explanations
- Dressing differently, using scarves or hiding parts of the body that may be injured
- Increased use of makeup
- Evidence of drug or alcohol abuse
- Poor sleeping or eating patterns
Changes in behaviour or wellbeing
- Inconsistent behaviours (anxious, quiet, tearful, distracted, aggressive)
- Signs of possible mental ill health such as obsessive behaviours, depression or anxiety
- Isolating themselves from colleagues
- Being guarded or inconsistent in talking about home life
- Expressing concerns about children’s contact with person using violence
Other signs of DFV
- Perpetrator seems unsupportive of work role or is attempting to disrupt work capacity
- Victim/survivor is isolated from friends and family
- Gifts such as flowers are sent to work by the person using the violence
- The perpetrator controls all finances of the victim/survivor
