Advice to employers who have an employee who is a victim of domestic violence:

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• Encourage the employee to counsel with the supervisor, or human resources manager to lay out a safety plan.
• Ask the employee for a current photograph of the perpetrator.
• Encourage the employee to save any threatening emails or voice mail messages.
• If other employees are aware of the situation, ask them to discreetly keep a record of any observed injuries and document the dates and also note when the victim is absent.
• Ask the employee to provide an emergency contact person.
• Establish a code word or phrase with the employee to alert co-workers to danger.
• If possible, move the employee's workstation away from public access, elevators and stairs.
• If possible, provide priority parking near the building and a security escort to and from the vehicle.
• Consider having another employee answer her phone or have someone screen the calls. Another suggestion is to install caller ID.
• Delete the employee's name from recorded phone messages or business directories.
• Encourage the employee to obtain a restraining order that includes the workplace and keep a copy on hand at all times.
• Instruct co-workers not to give out any contact information.
• Ask the employee what additional changes could be made to ensure better safety.