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Effects and Costs of Intimate Partner Violence for Work Organizations

NCJ Number
241082
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2007 Pages: 327-344
Author(s)
Carol Reeves; Ann M. O'Leary-Kelly
Date Published
March 2007
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study examined the productivity-related effects and costs of intimate partner violence (IPV) on the workplace.
Abstract
This study examines the productivity-related effects and costs of intimate partner violence (IPV) on the workplace. Specifically, it explores whether IPV victims and nonvictims differ in the number of work hours missed due to absenteeism, tardiness, and work distraction and the costs for employers from these missed work hours. The research involved a Web-based survey of 823 male and 1,550 female employees in 3 midsized organizations. Employees who reported lifetime IPV victimization, but not current victimization, missed more hours of work because of absenteeism than did nonvictims. Current victims, but not lifetime victims, were more likely to be distracted at work than nonvictims. Organization costs due to absenteeism and tardiness were greater for lifetime victims than nonvictims; however, no difference in costs was found for current victims. Overall, the authors found that IPV has negative effects on organizations, but that the nature and cost of these effects vary by type of victimization. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.