One of the many side-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic is a reported spike in domestic abuse. It is a growing issue, as was evident by the most recent budget on 3 March 2021, in which the Chancellor committed to an extra £19 million to help tackle domestic abuse.
Statistics also starkly show the impact of lockdown on domestic abuse; from April to June 2020, the charity Refuge reported a 700% increase in visits to its website and a 65% increase in demand to its helpline. One explanation for this increase may be the significant shift to homeworking caused by the pandemic.
In this context, as employees’ domestic and professional lives are ever more intertwined, employers need to consider their obligations in relation to employees who may experience domestic abuse.
Download PDF