Domestic violence usually happens at home behind closed doors, but does it spill over into other aspects of a victim's life? Is it possible for a victim of domestic violence to be abused at the workplace by her abuser? Unfortunately this happens more often than people think. Often employees are told not to bring their personal problems into the workplace, but how is this possible for someone who is being controlled by another person? How does this affect disabled Latinas who are employed?

Changing Policies, Changing Lives

Due to the changes in the welfare system and the new work incentives with Social Security, more disabled Latinas are returning to work or entering the workforce. Starting a new job can affect lives at home, for example by causing parents to enroll young children in day care or by providing more income for the household.

Abusers often use finances as a means of keeping the victim under control. Once the victim starts to work, however, their dependency on the abuser can decrease. Some victims use their jobs in an attempt to escape the abuse by saving money and ultimately leaving the relationship. Abusers know this, so they will try to sabotage all of their partners' efforts to remain employed. This might include making threatening phone calls to the victim or the victim's boss and coworkers; causing injuries so the person misses days of work; or causing the victim to be constantly late. For a Latina with a disability, the abuser might cancel his or her accessible transportation to work and hide any assistive devices or medications.

Employers Can Use Law to Protect Workplace

What can an employer do to protect an employee who is being victimized by a loved one? Fortunately there is a bill that can protect both the victim and her workplace. This occurred as a result of domestic violence affecting employees in the workplace. It is called VESSA (Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act). This bill was sponsored by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Paul Wellstone (D- MN), and by Representatives Lucille Royballard (D-CA) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY).

VESSA states that its goal is to ensure economic stability and security for victims of domestic and sexual violence by:

• Permitting temporary unpaid leave from work (for victims to seek assistance)
• Providing unemployment compensation to victims who lose their jobs because of violence
• Creating a workplace safety tax credit for employer costs related to violence against women
• Prohibiting employment discrimination against victims (victims cannot lose their jobs based solely on the domestic violence)
• Prohibiting insurers from discriminating against victims of domestic and sexual violence
• Creating a national resource center and clearinghouse to provide information and assistance to employers and labor organizations

More information on VESSA is available online at:

http://www.nowldef.org/html/issues/vio/VESSA_overview.shtml

What happens if the victim happens to also be undocumented? Tune in for part 3 of this series: Domestic Violence and Immigration.

printer friendly format