Supporting our employees who are trying to cope with domestic or sexual violence issues is essential.
Domestic or sexual violence includes actual or attempted physical, psychological or emotional abuse by an intimate partner or family member, and attempted or actual sexual abuse. Not only can domestic or sexual violence be a painful and traumatic experience, employees dealing with domestic or sexual violence may hesitate to reach out for assistance and support because they may feel afraid, embarrassed or have concerns about protecting their privacy.
These issues can also be challenging and may be uncomfortable for managers.
Supportive and confidential
If an employee requests this leave, the manager should support the employee in accessing this leave where appropriate. Managers should engage in supportive and empathetic listening by using a trauma-informed approach. Some key principles of a trauma informed approach include:
- Recognizing the pervasiveness of violence: Recognizing injustice related to violence (bad things happen to good people who do nothing wrong, relationship between oppression and violence)
- Starting with Safety: Physical and Emotional. Stay present and avoid traumatic incident recall by not asking about incident(s)
- Centering self-determination/choice and control: Strength-based and person-centred approach (recognize survivor strength and that the person impacted decides what happens)
- Collaboration: Transparency and survivor-guided information sharing and privacy protection.
Managers must ensure that the request is kept confidential, and consider their obligations regarding human rights, collective agreement, privacy and other responsibilities.
Related resources
For guidance, please contact your HR Advisor or Manager or Faculty Relations Senior Manager.
Learn more about this leave on the Domestic Violence Leave page.
View the Health and wellbeing supports for those experiencing domestic violence page for supports and resources available through UBC as well as through external community services.