Episode 7: When Domestic Violence Comes to Work—Understanding Spillover Risk

Domestic violence doesn’t always stay at home. When it spills into the workplace, it can look like nonstop calls and emails, a surprise visit to the lobby, a threat in the parking lot, or sabotage that quietly wrecks someone’s ability to do their job. I’m April Hardy, a survivor and advocate, and I’m walking you through what “spillover risk” really means and why it’s a workplace safety issue, not just a personal problem.We break down five common spillover patterns employers need to recognize: communication harassment, physical intrusion, sabotage, threats to coworkers or management, and workplace violence. You’ll also hear why tragedies often follow recognizable warning signs like stalking and escalation, plus the real-world gap that shows up when organizations only respond after something goes wrong. I share key domestic violence statistics that matter for HR, managers, and business leaders, and why underreporting and fear of disclosure mean the true risk is often higher than your data suggests.I also share personal experience of how abuse destabilizes employment through forced moves, childcare barriers, and threats that hit during the workday, because trauma doesn’t clock out when a shift starts. Then we get practical: the mistakes to avoid, what a strong domestic violence workplace policy can include, how to set up confidential reporting, visitor management, manager training, emergency planning, and physical security measures like access control and lighting. We close with a case study where a hospital’s safety plan helps prevent harm when an abuser shows up.Download the free workplace safety checklist at IncasImurdered.com/safe work, and if you want deeper support, learn about the Safe Work Advantage program. Subscribe, share this with a leader in your network, and leave a review so more workplaces can build prevention before a crisis hits.Is there a topic you'd like me to cover? Let me know!