Survey: Managers should be trained on domestic violence

Management-level employees and human resources staff should be trained on the workplace impact of domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking, a vast majority of respondents told the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in research findings released Feb. 1, 2013.

The Workplace Impact of Domestic and Sexual Violence and Stalking found that 91% of organizations indicated that HR staff should be trained on these topics. Ninety-five percent think that training is necessary for managers; 82%, for executive-level employees; and 74% think that it is needed for nonmanagement-level employees.

The survey also revealed that 16% of organizations have had a domestic violence incident in the past five years, 19% had an issue in the past year, and 22% did not know.

Fewer organizations reported having a workplace incident related to sexual violence: 11% in the past year and 9% in the past five years. About one-quarter of respondents reported having incidents of stalking either in the past year (14%) or in the past one to five years (14%).

The survey was fielded Oct. 22-Nov. 9, 2012, with 787 HR professionals from a randomly selected sample of SHRM’s membership participating. It found:

• 54% of organizations have a policy that addresses sexual violence, and about one-third have a policy that addresses domestic violence (35%) and stalking (31%). According to a previous SHRM survey, many companies have a workplace-violence policy in place.

• 36% of organizations offer training that addresses sexual violence, and one in five offers training on domestic violence (20%) and stalking (20%).

• Training on domestic violence is mandatory for 56% to 73% of employees, depending on their level in the organization. Sexual violence training is mandatory for most employees, ranging from 73% to 87%. About three-quarters (70% to 80%) of workers are required to participate in training about stalking.

Asked about the ideal format for a training program on domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking, about one-half (50% to 58%) of respondents said they prefer in-person training through an employee assistance program (EAP) provider or HR, depending on the employee level. One-quarter (22% to 27%) indicated that a webinar or online group course would be ideal. Asynchronous e-learning is preferred by 16% to 28% of respondents, depending on the employee level.

The ideal training length would be from 30 to 60 minutes across all employee levels, a majority of businesses indicated.

The most common reason (53%) given for not providing training on the impact of domestic and sexual violence and stalking in the workplace was that the topics are covered in sexual harassment or other training. Thirty percent indicated their company had too many other priorities or not enough time, and one-quarter (26%) said they expect their EAP to handle these issues.

Thirty-eight percent of organizations said their EAP provider offered training; only 8% said they did not. However, more than a third of organizations (36%) did not know whether their EAP offered training. Another 18% did not have an EAP provider.

Among organizations with EAP providers that offer training, 65% provide onsite training in person, and 56% offer Internet-based training. One-quarter (26%) provide other training formats, such as individual consultation, as needed.

Roy Maurer is an online editor/manager for SHRM. Follow him on Twitter @SHRMRoy.

©2013 SHRM. All rights reserved.

Have HR-related questions and concerns? Get access to essential forms, policies and guides, plus a live call center, atToolkitHR.com, powered by HCN and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).