The direct costs of lost economic output due to domestic violence are hard to calculate, but a study commissioned by the Government, The cost of domestic violence (PDF format, 1.22MB) (on the Woman and Equality Unit website), estimates that they could be as high as £2.672 billion a year, with £1.336 billion of this borne by employers in the form of wages paid while the victims of domestic violence are on sick leave.

This estimate does not include the indirect costs to employers of domestic violence, including lost productivity and the cost of recruiting and training replacement employees if those experiencing violence leave employment.

Against this background, XpertHR’s model policy sets out:

- the internal support employers can offer to employees;

- details of external support and guidance available;

- the vital role of line managers;

- what special leave arrangements can be made; and

- what extra security precautions should be offered to individuals who feel threatened at work.

The policy applies equally to men and women and offers assistance to the perpetrators of domestic violence who seek counselling and other support from the employer.

The policy was written by Sarah Silcox, a health and safety specialist and regular contributor to IRS. Sarah is also the author of XpertHR’s popular model policies on disaster contingency planning [subscription required] and bird flu pandemic contingency planning [subscription required].