The American Bar Association House of Delegates has adopted the Model Workplace Policy on Employer Responses to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking (Resolution 112A). The resolution sets guidelines for employers to enact policies to protect employees who are victims of violence or to discipline employees who commit violent acts. The purpose of the policy is to:

The resolution also provides that an employer’s duty to address workplace violence may be triggered under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Several states have also adopted statutes to protect employees who are victims of domestic violence. Most recently, Massachusetts passed a bill which creates a category of job-protected leave for victims of domestic violence or abuse (see, Legal Update, Foley Hoag: Massachusetts Enacts Domestic Violence Leave for Employees).

Practical Law has several resources to assist employers with the prevention and response to workplace violence and the accommodation of employees who may be victims of domestic violence, including:

For more resources about violence and the workplace, see our Health and Safety in the Workplace Toolkit.