Episode 44: Workplace Abuse & Career Setbacks After Domestic Violence

<p>In this episode of <em>Almost Oblivious</em>, Autumn dives into an often-overlooked consequence of domestic violence: how abuse seeps into the workplace, derails careers, and forces survivors to rebuild from setbacks. She shares her own (vague) experience with losing a job due to her situation, and walks listeners through:</p><ul><li><p>The many forms workplace abuse can take (from harassment to retaliation)</p></li><li><p>Real-life survivor scenarios and how abuse impacted their work lives</p></li><li><p>Career setbacks survivors commonly face (gaps in work history, loss of confidence, economic abuse)</p></li><li><p>Strategies for rebuilding: resume framing, exploring trauma-informed employers, networking, and community resources</p></li><li><p>Legal protections and “safe leave” laws (federal and state-level) — with the crucial advice: <strong>check your own state laws</strong></p></li><li><p>Words of hope: your career may have been disrupted, but it can be rebuilt on your terms</p></li></ul><p>Listeners will have a better understanding of how DV affects professional life — and actionable tools to move forward.</p><p>Also, the episode ended up not being longer than anticipated. :)🔗 Resources:</p><p><strong>Hotlines &amp; National Support</strong></p><ul><li><p>National Domestic Violence Hotline — Call <strong>1-800-799-SAFE (7233)</strong> or text <strong>START</strong> to <strong>88788</strong><br><a href="https://www.thehotline.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Hotline</a></p></li><li><p>The Hotline (website) — live chat, local provider directory, safety planning, resources<br><a href="https://www.thehotline.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Hotline</a></p></li><li><p>NYS Domestic &amp; Sexual Violence Hotline (for New York listeners) — call <strong>800-942-6906</strong> or text <strong>844-997-2121</strong><br><a href="https://opdv.ny.gov/survivors-victims?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Domestic Violence Prevention Office</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Legal / Employment Protections &amp; Information</strong></p><ul><li><p>U.S. Department of Labor — employment law FAQs and worker resources<br><a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/faq?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DOL</a></p></li><li><p>“4 Types of Employment Laws That Can Help DV Survivors at Work” — examples of state protections &amp; safe leave laws<br><a href="https://blog.dol.gov/2023/10/05/4-types-of-employment-laws-that-can-help-domestic-violence-survivors-at-work?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DOL Blog</a></p></li><li><p>Washington State Domestic Violence Leave Act — job-protected leave, safety accommodations<br><a href="https://www.lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/leave/domestic-violence-leave?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington Labor &amp; Industries</a></p></li><li><p>Oregon’s domestic violence worker protections (reasonable accommodations, leave, confidentiality)<br><a href="https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/domestic-violence-protections-for-workers.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oregon</a></p></li><li><p>Domestic violence leave laws by state (overview/comparison)<br><a href="https://www.paycor.com/resource-center/articles/domestic-violence-leave-laws-by-state/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paycor</a></p></li><li><p>Maryland “Domestic Violence &amp; Your Job” — info on FMLA, safe leave, unemployment after DV<br><a href="https://www.peoples-law.org/domestic-violence-and-your-job?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maryland People&#39;s Law Library</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Statistics &amp; Research</strong></p><ul><li><p>Survivors lose <strong>8 million days of paid work per year</strong> in the U.S. due to DV. That’s equivalent to over 32,000 full-time jobs.<br><a href="https://www.thehotline.org/resources/empowering-domestic-v