A colleague who is temporarily or permanently separated from work, or cannot work in order to care for themselves, family members, or children, needs the support of their friends and former coworkers now more than ever. This is especially true if they’re experiencing violence while shouldering an onslaught of emotional and financial challenges as well.
Surviving partner violence can be isolating in-and-of-itself. The added burdens job-loss, economic distress, disrupted schedules, and unexpected healthcare or childcare responsibilities can be overwhelming. Individuals may experience hopelessness if connections are severed with colleagues on whom they depend for emotional support and friendship. Staying in regular touch with those who have been laid off or cannot work, even if you’re experiencing a similar work interruption can provide an opening for a colleague experiencing violence to ask for help and ensure access to supportive resources.
Source: Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence, WHEN WORK IS SAFER THAN HOME, Supporting Workers Experiencing Violence during the Pandemic, https://www.workplacesrespond.org/page/covid19supportingworkers/#unemployed
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