More workplaces are including domestic violence in their occupational health and safety efforts

For those subjected to domestic violence, every aspect of life is affected, including the workplace. When violence follows individuals into their professional environments, it impacts more than just the victim. It can lead to reduced work capacity, absenteeism, and conflicts among colleagues. Even perpetrators of domestic violence may struggle to fulfil their work duties effectively.

Employers taking an active role in preventing and detecting domestic violence is therefore crucial—not only for the affected individuals but also for ensuring a safe and productive work environment for all employees.

Since 2022, the Swedish Gender Equality Agency has been tasked by the government with increasing awareness of how domestic and honour-based violence and oppression affect working life. This mandate is now coming to an end. Our final report shows that while significant progress has been made, there is still much work to do.

The Importance of Knowledge Sharing and Practical Tools

The final report reveals that a large majority of the workplaces we engaged with are open to addressing these issues but require more knowledge and support.

"Many people are aware that domestic violence exists, but few know how to discuss it in a workplace setting or where to begin. This is why it is essential to provide as much ready-made material as possible to make it easy to get started," explains Kerstin Kristensen, an investigator at the Swedish Gender Equality Agency.

To meet the growing demand for knowledge, we have developed several educational initiatives, including the online course Domestic Violence – Act as a Manager or Colleague, the webinar series Domestic Violence – A Workplace Issue, and the guide Make It Discussable, which offers practical guidance on integrating domestic and honour-based violence into systematic occupational health and safety efforts.

The online course can be taken individually or in groups and has yielded positive results. The majority of participants reported in a follow-up survey that they feel more confident discussing domestic violence and would recommend the course to others. Many also found it beneficial for their work, increasing their awareness of victimisation and perpetration of violence in the workplace.

Collaboration and Education – A Key Way Forward

During the course of this initiative, several private and public organisations have reached out to the agency for further knowledge and support. As a result, we have conducted training sessions and lectures for organisations such as Volvo, the Swedish Armed Forces, and the Swedish Transport Administration. Additionally, several municipalities and county administrative boards, after participating in our training and guidance, have begun to actively address these issues.

"We have also engaged in discussions and knowledge-sharing with multiple government agencies, including the Police Authority, the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, and the National Agency for Education. With our support, five out of seven police regions have started incorporating domestic violence into their occupational health and safety work. Collaboration is essential, as it not only encourages organisations to address these issues but also ensures wider outreach," says Kerstin Kristensen.

Read more

Report: Domestic and honour-based violence and oppression – including domestic violence in systematic occupational health and safety efforts.

The role of the workplace in addressing domestic violence – Knowledge and tools for employers and managers.

Ensuring workplace safety is part of the Beijing Platform for Action, the UN's global plan for gender equality, which will mark its 30th anniversary in 2025.