The effects and costs of intimate partner violence for work organizations

J Interpers Violence. 2007 Mar;22(3):327-44. doi: 10.1177/0886260506295382.

Abstract

This study examines the productivity-related effects and costs of intimate partner violence (IPV) on the workplace. Specifically, it explores whether IPV victims and nonvictims differ in the number of work hours missed due to absenteeism, tardiness, and work distraction and the costs for employers from these missed work hours. The research involved a Web-based survey of 823 male and 1,550 female employees in three midsized organizations. Employees who reported lifetime IPV victimization, but not current victimization, missed more hours of work because of absenteeism than did nonvictims. Current victims, but not lifetime victims, were more likely to be distracted at work than nonvictims. Organization costs due to absenteeism and tardiness were greater for lifetime victims than nonvictims; however, no difference in costs was found for current victims. Overall, we found that IPV has negative effects on organizations, but that the nature and cost of these effects vary by type of victimization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Absenteeism*
  • Adult
  • Battered Women
  • Employment / economics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Salaries and Fringe Benefits / economics
  • Spouse Abuse / economics*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States
  • Women's Health / economics*
  • Women, Working
  • Workplace / economics