The Hidden Cost of Domestic Abuse to UK Businesses – Why It Matters and What You Can Do

Facilitated by Holly Jaskolka

Domestic abuse doesn’t stop at home – it shows up in the workplace, affecting performance, wellbeing, and safety.

• UK businesses lose £316 million a year due to abuse-related absenteeism, presenteeism, and lost productivity.
• 75% of those experiencing abuse are targeted at work — by calls, emails, visits, or sabotage.
• 1 in 5 take time off; 2% lose their jobs.
• Many stay silent, afraid of stigma or job loss.

This webinar will help you understand the real impact on your people and your business – and what you can do. This is a particularly important currently, as the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill had its second reading in Parliament last week. If it progresses, it will introduce a statutory right to 10 days’ paid leave for employees affected by domestic abuse – allowing time to seek help, attend appointments, and make safety arrangements without losing income or job security. Attending this webinar is a positive step to better understanding how to prepare.

• What is domestic abuse?

A broad definition – beyond physical violence – and how it shows up in people’s lives and relationships.

• The hidden challenge of domestic abuse: The impact on your people and your business

Productivity, retention, safety, and the bottom line.

• How many are suffering in silence

Workplace statistics in the UK

• Spotting the signs

Recognising behavioural, emotional, and physical indicators.

• Everyone’s business: Your legal and moral responsibility as an employer

What the law says – and what a good employer does.

• Creating a culture of safety and support

Giving your team the tools, trust and culture they need to respond to domestic abuse.

About the facilitator

Holly is Training Manager at Domestic Abuse Experts, where she leads our workplace domestic abuse programmes for businesses across the UK.

With over 13 years of experience designing and delivering training programmes, Holly specialises in helping organisations create safer, more supportive workplaces through evidence-based domestic abuse awareness and response training.

She developed and leads our Engaged Employer programme – a comprehensive workplace initiative that’s being implemented in businesses nationwide, helping companies protect their employees, reduce absence and turnover, and meet their duty of care obligations. Holly has delivered training to diverse professional audiences, from first responders with Cheshire Police to corporate teams across multiple sectors.

Her qualifications include a BTEC Level 4 in Train the Trainer from the College of Public Speaking, trauma and DA Matters certification, and accreditation to deliver specialised interventions. She also holds a degree in Public Health Nutrition and has extensive experience managing stakeholder relationships and delivering educational programmes to professional audiences.

Holly’s expertise lies in translating complex domestic abuse awareness into practical, actionable training that empowers managers, HR teams, and staff to recognise signs, respond appropriately.