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300-BXB-01-IGDO © 2025, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
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Developing Workplace Violence and Harassment Policies and Programs: A Toolbox
Recognizing Domestic Violence in the Workplace
It is in your best interests to be able to recognize the signs of domestic violence.
What follows are some signs that may be noticed in the workplace.
The victim may:
• try to cover bruises;
• be sad, lonely, withdrawn, and afraid;
• have trouble concentrating on a task;
• apologize for the abuser's behaviour;
• be nervous when the abuser is in the workplace;
• make last-minute excuses or cancellations;
• use drugs or alcohol to cope; or
• miss work frequently or more often than usual.
The abuser may interfere with the victim while at work by:
• repeatedly phoning or emailing the victim;
• stalking and/or watching the victim;
• showing up at the workplace and pestering co-workers with questions about the victim
(Where is she? Who is she with? When will she be back?, etc.);
• displaying jealous and controlling behaviours;
• lying to co-workers (she's sick today, she's out of town, she's home with a sick child, etc.);
• threatening co-workers (if you don't tell me, I'll…);
• verbally abusing the victim or co-workers;
• destroying the victim's or the organization's property; or
• physically harming the victim and/or co-workers.
The abuser may attempt to prevent the victim from getting to work by:
• interfering with transportation by hiding or stealing the victim's car keys or transportation money;
• hiding or stealing the victim's identification cards;
• threatening deportation in a situation where the victim was sponsored;
• failing to show up to care for children; or
• physically restraining the victim.
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