Domestic abuse & the workplace — employer duties, safety at work and time off for court

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-28

Why this matters

Abuse follows victims into work: an abuser may turn up at the office, harass via work email, or sabotage a victim's job. Employers also have legal duties — and knowing them is how a survivor keeps their income while a family case runs.

Employer duties (real law)

Health & safety duty (Health and Safety at Work Act 1974) extends to risks from domestic abuse reaching the workplace
Equality Act 2010 — sex discrimination claims can arise where an employer fails to support a victim (EHRC guidance says employers should treat DA as an employment issue)
Time off for dependants (Employment Rights Act 1996) — reasonable unpaid time off to deal with an emergency involving a dependant, including arranging care after abuse
Flexible working — statutory right to request (see our work rights guide) — a schedule change can be the difference between staying safe and exposure

Practical workplace safety steps

1. Tell HR or your manager — ask for workplace safety measures: changing your desk/ entrance, blocking the abuser's calls, alerting reception/security 2. Ask for your contact details to be confidential (not on the website/staff list) 3. Ask for a photo of the abuser at reception so staff know not to let them in 4. Get court orders working at work — a non-molestation order covers the workplace; give a copy to security 5. Request remote/video hearings where attendance would expose you (see our remote hearings guide)

Money: keeping your job protects your case

Losing employment mid-case hurts your financial-remedy and children arrangements (housing, income, stability — see our father-stability and funding guides). Ask for flexible working, plan court days early, and use the time-off-for-dependants right for emergencies.

Specialist help

Hestia / employers' DA programmes — some large employers run DA champions
Business in the Community / Public Health England DA toolkit — employer guidance
Refuge 0808 2000 247 — can advise on workplace safety as part of a safety plan

Official links

gov.uk domestic abuse (workplace section): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-violence-and-abuse
Time off for dependants: https://www.gov.uk/time-off-for-dependants
Flexible working: https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working

This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with gov.uk or any employer body.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.