A hidden hazard: How family violence can impact the workplace
Australia currently has an increased national focus on family/domestic violence prevention. Public awareness is growing; our governments are investing in prevention strategies and employers are starting to recognise their role in supporting affected workers.
But one area that is often left out of the conversation (likely due to its complexity) is where family violence and work collide. The workplace is not immune, and in fact, it can be a direct site of risk.
How family violence can show up at work
Family and domestic violence doesn’t always stop at the front door of a home. It can spill over into workplaces, creating risks not only for survivors but for colleagues, clients, and communities.
Common examples include:
- Partners stalking or threatening survivors at their workplace – waiting in carparks, confronting them at reception, or approaching colleagues for information.
- Harassment during work hours – a stream of calls, emails, or text messages that disrupt both work performance and wellbeing.
- Remote work as a risk factor – working from home can expose workers to further monitoring, coercion, or violence.
For many workers, the workplace may be the only “safe” environment they access each day. But without the right systems in place, that safety can be easily compromised.
In recognition of the overlap between work and family violence, recent reforms have strengthened worker protections:
- Since 2023, the Fair Work Act has provided 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave, acknowledging the significant workplace impacts of FDV.
- Under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, employers have duties to manage not only internal risks (such as bullying or harassment between staff) but also external aggression, including risks that arise from family violence intersecting with work.
The impact on workers and workplaces
When family violence follows workers into their jobs, we can see wide-reaching impacts:
- Increased absenteeism and turnover as survivors struggle with the dual pressures of violence and employment
- Safety risks for others – colleagues, clients, or even community members can be inadvertently exposed
- Complex psychosocial environments where survivors may be simultaneously supported by colleagues but also isolated, fearful, or stigmatised
Looking ahead
The way we work has changed. Hybrid and remote arrangements have blurred the lines between home and workplace, meaning family violence risks can surface in new and unexpected ways. Workplaces are increasingly recognised as key intervention points — where risks can be noticed, where safety can be reinforced, and where support can be extended. This is the direction of the future of work: protecting people from physical and psychosocial hazards that arise within the workplace, as well as recognising and responding to the risks that cross the boundary between home and work.
A workplace that commits to this approach is taking an active role in building a safe community for all of us. The challenge ahead is to normalise these conversations and build practices that make safety visible.
References
- Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), as amended 2023. Family and domestic violence leave provisions. Retrieved from https://www.fairwork.gov.au/
- Safe Work Australia (2022). Model Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work.
- Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS) (2024). Survey reveals rising violence and bullying against school principals.
- Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (2023). Workplace responses to family violence. Retrieved from https://www.dvrcv.org.au/
- Women’s Safety NSW (2023). Workplace family violence resources. Retrieved from https://www.womenssafetynsw.org.au/