What Businesses Can Do
For Employers and Employees
Here’s what you can do today:
- Read Governor Sean Parnell's call to businesses to Choose Respect
- You can post links on your web sites to the Choose Respect page: chooserespect.alaska.gov, where we have resources and information that can guide people to help and support. Or better still, link directly to your victim service providers or child advocacy centers.
- You can be sure your employees are not disciplined or terminated just because they have been victims of violence – or because of the concern that their attacker will bring violence to the workplace.
- You can include a domestic violence and victim resource pamphlet in your new employee packet, so that every new person coming to work in your business has that. You can invite your service provider to do a presentation in the workplace. AWAIC, Victims for Justice, STAR and Alaska Cares would do that for you.
- And you can join me at the point of the spear. The Choose Respect march here in Anchorage and across Alaska will be held annually on the last Thursday of March. When we began in 2010 we started with 18 communities and in just two years we grew to over 100. Think about what it means to be a survivor of domestic violence or rape or child abuse. Imagine what it will mean to see hundreds of people marching together to proclaim “Enough, already! We support you. You are not alone. You are not to blame.”
- Your employees, your business can march with us – bearing a banner with your business logo so that Alaskans will know what you stand for.
- Bear witness with me. Join me and an army of Alaskans -- to end this violence. Thank you for doing your part. Together we can change hearts and minds.
- Find resources in your area
- Find more resources at Workplaces Respond to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Resources
Facts about Domestic Violence in the Workplace (PDF) from Futures Without Violence
Domestic Violence in the Workplace - Create Your Own Policy - Safe@work was created in 2000 by a coalition of private employers, trade unions, domestic violence advocacy groups, and government organizations. Its mission is to demystify domestic violence for employers and unions and to provide guidance on creating an environment where this historically "private" problem can be openly and effectively addressed.
Step to Developing a Safer Workplace - Workplace domestic violence policies makes good business and legal sense for your employees and for organizations in your community who will learn from your example.
Video: Violence on the Job by CDC - This video discusses practical measures for identifying risk factors for violence at work, and taking strategic action to keep employees safe. It is based on extensive NIOSH research, supplemented with information from other authoritative sources.
The opinions contained herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or polices of the State of Alaska or the Office of the Governor. References to specific companies, products or services should not be considered endorsement by the State of Alaska or the Office of the Governor. Rather, the references are illustrations of available resources on these issues.