A risk assessment must be performed in any workplace in which a risk of injury to workers from violence arising out of their employment may be present. This may include threats or violence affecting the workplace through an employee’s domestic situation. If you become aware of a threat to the workplace arising from a domestic violence situation you must conduct a risk assessment.

If an employee discloses that they are in a domestic violence situation you should talk to the employee confidentially. Respect their privacy as much as possible by only asking about concerns that might affect the workplace. 

Step 1: Risk Assessment Questions 
Before beginning the risk assessment, let the employee know that you are required to conduct a risk analysis to ensure safety in the workplace. The questions may seem intrusive but are only being asked from an organizational lens to ensure safety. 

• Has your partner ever made threats to harm you while at work, or have you been stalked, experienced physical violence, or received offensive or unsolicited communication during working hours (e.g. phone calls, emails, visits)?
  • If yes, what was the nature of the incident (e.g. verbal threat)?
  • Who was the offender?
• Do you feel safe from domestic violence at work? Why or why not?
• Do you think violence is more likely on certain days or times of the day (e.g. if the perpetrator works the same shift as the victim on certain days: or increased risk on weekend shifts when the victim’s partner is not at work and is able to come to your workplace)?
  • If yes, when and why?
• Do you think violence is more likely to occur in certain places (e.g. the parking lot)
  • If yes, when and why?
• What do you think could be done to minimize the risk of violence?
• Are there any situations on the job when you feel particularly vulnerable?
  • If yes, what are they?
• Have you ever created a personal safety plan for your time at work?
  • If yes, what did it include?

Step 2: Risk Assessment Form
The risk assessment must be maintained and kept current. It is recommended to review the completed risk assessment with the employee to ensure the plan stays up to date. A re-assessment should take place anytime new circumstances might introduce new risks to the workplace and employee.

You can now conduct a domestic violence workplace risk assessment by following these steps: 

1. Identify the source of the potential hazard (physical location of the employee and/or an activity the employee performs).
2. Assemble those to be involved (managers and employee, etc.) and review the current situation.
3. Develop a list of all the potential hazards associated with the workplace as it relates to the domestic violence situation.
4. Record all items which require attention on the risk assessment form, or the forms associated with your Departmental OHS Program.
5. Analyze and rank each hazard relating to domestic violence in the workplace.
6. Identify all elements currently in place to mitigate the hazard. i.e. safe work practices, training.
7. Reassess the rank of each hazard considering the mitigation in place.
8. Identify if there are any gaps in what is currently being done and what else can be done to further mitigate the hazard.
9. Develop a list of existing controls and controls to be recommended and implemented, where necessary.

Risk Assessment Form
Domestic Violence Reporting Flowchart