Lauren Tanen Quoted in HR Advisor
"Increasing Awareness of Domestic Violence is a Win-Win for Employers and Employees"

Lauren Tanen was quoted in the article, "Increasing Awareness of Domestic Violence is a Win-Win for Employers and Employees," published October 6, 2009 in HR Advisor. The article discussed the importance of  increasing the awareness of domestic violence in the workplace. According to Lauren, workplace-based domestic violence awareness efforts can make a difference. She remarked, "Strong policies and awareness campaigns help facilitate employees coming forward. In the companies we've counseled, as they've raised awareness and people have become more in tune with the issue, an amazing amount of disclosure has come from victimized employees." 

Lauren explained that employers should focus on three critical components when it comes to domestic violence: raising awareness, being the link to community resources and developing a safety response team and plan. Lauren further noted, "The most important thing for employers to look at is whether they have a policy in place to raise awareness and deal with emergent situations as they arise. The reason a policy is good to have is [that] it gives employees, managers, HR executives, legal counsel and others a roadmap of what to do with a subject that is very delicate and can create liability for employers." She added, "The goal is to create a workplace that is tolerant and aware of these issues and has mechanisms in place to refer employees to community resources."

Lauren recommended that employers act as liaisons, not therapists, noting, "They don't have to be experts and solve the problem. In fact, I tell clients not to try to deal with the actual problem, but to refer employees appropriately." She pointed out, "When an employee doesn't volunteer the information, but you have concerns about domestic violence, you need to tread carefully, especially in jurisdictions where perceived victims of domestic violence can sue…" Lauren concluded, "When employees are concerned about their own safety because of a co-worker's domestic violence situation, you can reassure them that employers are obligated under the Occupational Safety and Health Act to provide a safe and healthy workplace and you are taking appropriate steps to do so. You don't have to disclose what's in the plan, just that you're aware of the situation and upholding your obligations."