Intimate partner violence: A guide for leaders

A 3 hour workshop for leaders that builds foundational knowledge as well as leadership-specific skills in a small-group setting.
  • Half-day
  • Workshop
  • Leader

Description

Intimate partner violence (IPV), also known as domestic violence, is an overlooked issue of concern in many workplaces. Although awareness of IPV is hidden behind a veil of shame and secrecy, a majority of victims report that the violence follows them into the workplace and negatively affects their work performance. While both men and women are victims of IPV, research suggests that women are affected at higher rates, with nearly one in four reporting to have been a victim in Canada.

Although most Canadian provinces have policies that dictate an employers’ duty to protect employees from violence, leaders often do not know how to respond to this workplace issue or help an employee get the support they need. This workshop is designed to help people leaders develop the skills and confidence needed to support an at-risk employee and guide them in the creation of a workplace safety plan.

Structure

The workshop series format is comprised of two interactive, instructor-led modules, each 90-minutes in length. Module 1 provides a balance of instruction and participant discussion, incorporating short videos and your organizational policies if applicable. Module 2 relies on small group scenario discussion to assist participants in demonstrating how to apply the listen.respond.refer model to respond to workplace performance and safety concerns.

Modules and Courses

Module 1

Participants develop the foundational skills necessary to support an at-risk employee through discussion about the myths surrounding intimate partner violence, and common barriers that make it more difficult for a victim to leave an abusive relationship. An emphasis is placed upon understanding the workplace impact, including common warning signs an at-risk employee might demonstrate. People leaders will learn about best practice guidelines for referring at-risk employees to community resources, and how to assist them in the development of a workplace safety plan. If applicable, specific organizational policies and procedures can be included.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe intimate partner violence and why it is a workplace concern.
  • Identify common workplace warning signs of intimate partner violence.
  • Explain relevant workplace policy and/or practices which can support at-risk employees.
  • Identify how to create a workplace safety plan and refer at-risk employees to supportive resources for additional assistance.
Module 2

Building upon the foundation of module 1, this highly experiential module provides participants a best practice example of how to intervene with an employee by using the listen.respond.refer model. Small group discussion provides people leaders the opportunity to apply their knowledge using three real world scenarios which pose increasing risk to workplace safety.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify organizational best practices in reducing risk of intimate partner violence
  • Describe and demonstrate how to apply the listen-respond-refer model to assist an at-risk employee.