The effects of domestic violence may extend outside the home and spill over into the workplace. When they do, the safety of a workplace can be compromised. The resources on this page comprise our online "tool kit" and are available to help employers understand their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR), recognize the signs of domestic violence, and take action to help keep workers and workplaces safe.
For details of regulatory requirements that relate to domestic violence in the workplace, please see the OHSR section.
Allen Sawkins Interview
What could happen if domestic violence entered your workplace?
Watch a personal story about a worker that was killed during a domestic violence incident while working at Starbucks. (7 min. 13 sec.)
* Video
Animated Clips
How to talk to an employee who might be experiencing domestic violence. (1 min. 50 sec.)
* View clip
How to develop a personal safety plan for time at work. (1 min. 30 sec.)
* View clip
Handbooks
BC handbook Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace: A handbook for employers (PDF 540 KB)
Universal handbook
This handbook does not reference B.C. laws so it can be used by employers outside of B.C. (PDF 456 KB)
What is domestic violence?* (PDF 211 KB)
Why employers should care about domestic violence* (PDF 215 KB) How to create a supportive workplace* (PDF 215 KB)
An employer's legal obligations (English only) (PDF 233 KB)
How U.S. companies are helping employees who are victims of domestic violence (ABC news story) (5 min. 20 sec.) Source: YouTube
* Video
American business executives talk about the effects of domestic violence in the workplace. (2 min. 30 sec.) Source: YouTube
* Video Note: Videos contain content about U.S. regulations that differ from those in B.C.
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Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR)
The OHSR defines violence as "the attempted or actual exercise by a person, other than a worker, of any physical force so as to cause injury to a worker, and includes any threatening statement or behaviour which gives a worker reasonable cause to believe that he or she is at risk of injury" (s4.27).
Employers must conduct a risk assessment if there is interaction between employees and persons other than co-workers that might lead to threats or assaults (the Regulation, s4.28) If you learn about a domestic violence situation that puts your workplace at risk, you must assess the risk and decide how best to protect your workers. Under sections 4.24-4.26 of the Regulation, employers also have legal obligations when violent situations occur between two employees. Please check the Workers Compensation Act (sections 172-177), the Regulation (s4.24-4.31), and related materials for specific requirements.
