Domestic violence costs employers billions in lost productivity and health care
A new systematic review of 22 studies across wealthy nations reveals intimate partner violence undermines employee performance, increases absenteeism, and strains healthcare systems—yet most employers lack formal support programs. For businesses and policymakers, the findings suggest that workplace interventions on domestic violence could yield significant economic and public health returns.
Originaltitel: The impact of intimate partner violence on victims’ work, health, and wellbeing in OECD countries (2014–2025): A descriptive systematic review
<p>Background</p><p>Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant social and public health issue with far-reaching consequences for individuals, their families, workplaces, and society. Despite its impact, the effects of IPV on victims’ work environments remain underexplored. This study aimed to review empirical evidence on how IPV affects the health and wellbeing of employed men and women, their working lives, and their work environments, as well as the types of support employers provide in OECD countries.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A descriptive systematic review was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO to identify empirical studies examining the impact of IPV on employees’ health, working lives, and the workplace environment. Twenty-two empirical articles, published between 2014 and 2025, met the inclusion criteria. These criteria specified that the studies must address IPV experienced in the home and its effects on the victim’s working life, workplace environment, and overall health and wellbeing. Furthermore, the studies were required to consider the support and assistance provided by employers to employees affected by IPV.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The findings indicate that IPV is widespread, with a higher reported prevalence among female employees. Victims – both male and female – experienced various forms of abuse, including physical, psychological, sexual, and digital violence, resulting in injuries, stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. IPV also had a detrimental impact on victims’ work environments, often leaving them emotionally exhausted and unable to sustain performance levels, which in turn led to the redistribution of their workload among colleagues. Moreover, IPV disrupted victims’ working lives by undermining career identity, damaging professional reputations, restricting opportunities for career advancement, and necessitating extended periods of sick leave – ultimately hindering their ability to establish robust employment careers, secure references, and maintain professional credibility. Support from employers varies both across and within countries, ranging from legal protections and workplace policies to human resources guidance, safety planning, counselling, and flexible working arrangements.</p>