Domestic violence in the workplace is having a devastating effect on the morale and corporate profits of companies around the world ? a fact that one expert thinks Bermuda employers can learn from.

Paul Viollis, president of US firm Risk Control Strategies Inc., said assaults leading to injury or even death in the workplace are nearing epidemic proportions in the US, UK and Canada. He said Bermuda workplaces have seen their own horrors, but the problem isn?t as widespread as in the Island?s neighbouring nations. But in a telephone interview he warned that the problem can grow here too if proactive measures don?t stop it spreading.

Dr. Viollis is bringing his message to Bermuda employers this week: He?s due to speak to these issues issues at a meeting on Wednesday of the Employee Assistance Programme.

What can domestic violence incidents at work cost? Dr. Viollis said the share price of US-listed companies can plummet 15 percent, and continue trading at those lows for more than 300 days. And that is only the tip of the economic cost to a company. He said about 15 percent of the workplace may be off of work for an average of ten days after the event ? even if not a direct witness or victim of the trauma.

?Employees think ?it happened here?. They are in shock and can?t seem to get back to work.?

Then there is the cost of any physical damage from the attack, which Dr. Viollis said often targets multiple people, not just the person in a past or present relationship with the abuser. Workers? compensation may also be another cost on employers.

?$121 billion is spent in the US each year on workplace violence costs, including drops in stock prices,? he told

For some the costs, economic and otherwise, are too great, with Dr. Viollis saying that many mid-size companies don?t survive the fall-out from a domestic violence incident on the job.

Dr. Viollis said the incidents were few and far between in Bermuda but that management would be best to take proactive steps to make sure the problem is one kept in check. US employers wish they could step backwards and do the same, he said, with the incidents now escalating to epidemic proportions.

Dr. Viollis said in US there are between 2 million and 2.2 million reported workplace violence incidents each year.

He will recommend that Bermuda companies have a proactive plan in place when he delivers his presentation, ?Mitigating the Risk of Domestic Violence in the Workplace? at the EAP?s annual general meeting.

Steps that can be taken include to create an environment where any sign of possible trouble, even in the early stages, can be addressed. He said this can include having open lines for confidential communication leading to possible intervention. Maintaining a secure environment is also crucial, he said, as is establishing a pre-incident evaluation protocol, such as periodic employee surveys, and other measures.

Contact the EAP for more information: 292-9000.