If you are a Lawyer

As an attorney, you play in integral part in assisting management in creating a safe workplace.
 
Domestic violence is a prevalent problem in the work place. It is a problem that not only affects victims and abusers, but also other workers. Protecting the health and safety of all employees is in the interest of both employer and employee, reducing unnecessary turnover and abuse-related costs to the victim and co-workers, and enhancing continued employee well-being and productivity.
 
This site provides information on legal liability, policies and procedures, protective orders, and referral resources.
 
The Domestic Violence: Make It Your Business Project supports lawyers in partnering with employers to strengthen their responses to domestic violence in the workplace.Select from numerous in-depth articles below. 

• Print out A Workplace Handbook, a 30-page PDF document that gives an overview to Recognize, Respond, and Refer.

• Purchase training materials. (AVAILABLE SOON)

• Colorado Lawyer Article, April 2002

In its April 2002 issue, The Colorado Lawyer published an article titled Domestic Violence In the Workplace. This article discusses the impact of domestic violence on the workplace, especially on legal practice. It also offers suggestions as to how lawyers can respond to workplace violence in their roles as lawyers and employers. Please note, you must be logged in as a CBA member to view this article.

• Colorado Legislature House Bill 02-1051 (Civil Restraining Orders/Three-Day Leave for Victims of Domestic Violence)
• Legal Liabilities and Helpful Statutes
• Top 10 Ways an Employer Has Liability in the Event of Workplace Violence
• Top 10 Ways to Avoid Violence in the Workplace
• Top 10 Ways to Respond to Violence in the Workplace
• Court Cases

DOMINIQUE K. GANTT V. SECURITY, USA, INCORPORATED AND VISA, INCORPORATED
Gantt v. Security USA – Jury Verdict

RECOGNIZE

• What is Domestic Violence?
• Evidence of Domestic Violence: Statistics
• Who is Abused? Who Abuses?
• Who Does Domestic Violence Affect?
• Why Does Domestic Violence Happen? True or False?
• Why Someone Abuses
• Signs of Abuse
• The Cycle of Violence
• The Challenges and Effects of Leaving An Abusive Situation
• Cultural Considerations in Recognizing and Responding to Domestic Violence

RESPOND

• What to Do When an Employee Discloses Abuse
• What to Do When An Employee Does Not Disclose Abuse But Abuse is Suspected
• What to Do When An Employee is Abusive
• What to Do When the Abuser and the Victim are Both Employees
• What to Do When a Non-Employee Abuser Threatens the Victim in the Workplace
• How to Be Proactive in Dealing with Domestic Violence 

TOOL: Action Plan 

Detailed, comprehensive, 33-page instrument for reviewing all aspects of your business and the role each can play in developing policies and procedures that create safer workplaces and retain valuable employees. (pdf file)

Consider possible legal liabilities.

TOOL: 10 Ways An Employer Has Liability 
TOOL: Legal Liabilities and Helpful Statutes

Make materials and resources accessible and available.

TOOL: Recognize, Respond, and Refer Handout(pdf file)
Brief handout on what it means to recognize, respond, and refer in the context of domestic violence spilling into the workplace. 

Develop contacts with local domestic violence service providers. 

Develop contacts with local law enforcement personnel. 

Make referrals to community resources.

TOOL: Where to Make Referrals (pdf file)
Template for the contact information your business should have readily available in order to make appropriate referrals for victims, abusive persons, co-workers, and internal operations.

Develop policies and procedures. 

TOOL: Sample Workplace Violence Policy (pdf file)
Sample of what to include in a general workplace violence policy.
The incursion of domestic violence in the workplace is a form of workplace violence. 
TOOL: 10 Ways to Avoid Violence in the Workplace 
TOOL: 10 Ways to Respond to Violence in the Workplace  
TOOL: Sample Workplace Violence Prevention Program 
TOOL: Colorado Legislature House Bill 02-1051 (Employee Leave)

 

Assess security.

TOOL: Sample Workplace Violence Assessment 
Use this form to record and analyze any workplace violence incidents your business as experienced, and consider policies and procedures to minimize the impact and/or deal with workplace violence, including domestic violence in the workplace.
TOOL: Sample Workplace Violence Incident Report 
TOOL: Sample Security Checklist and Hazard Assessment 
TOOL: Sample Workplace Violence Prevention Employee Security Survey

Conduct training. 

Understand protective orders.

REFER

• Colorado Statewide Organizations
• National Organizations and Other State Organizations
• Colorado Certified Treatment Providers