More than 35,000 trade union reps will soon be offered training to help
identify and support colleagues suffering domestic violence.
The TUC hopes the training will give victims support and advice, and
encourage employers to develop policies to help staff cope with abuse.
The domestic violence training programme was launched because so few firms
have a consistent policy in place, despite the impact of abuse on the
well-being and performance of staff.
Recent TUC research shows that almost half of the 400 staff questioned had
experienced violence in the home, with 40 per cent taking time off to recover.
The survey found that 46 per cent of victims said domestic violence affected
their performance at work, with lack of confidence, nervousness, crying and lack
of sleep just some of the factors.
Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, said employers and trade
unions should be more supportive towards victims of domestic violence.
"This is not about intruding into the home," he said.
"Domestic violence does not stay behind closed doors and its devastating
effects do not stop when someone enters the workplace."
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