Date on Capstone

5-2026

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

D.S.W.

Cooperating University

University of Louisville

Degree Program

Social Work, D.S.W.

Committee Chair

Golder, Seana

Committee Member

Archuleta, Adrian

Committee Member

BrintzenhofeSzoc, Karlynn

Committee Member

Rhema, Susan

Author's Keywords

domestic violence; employment; healthcare; leave policy; workplace-based intervention

Abstract

Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that impacts individuals and communities at every level, including professionally. Despite this known impact, workplace-based interventions to address such violence, aside from leave policies, are seldom implemented, especially in healthcare settings. This paper presents a case study on a healthcare organization’s response to employee disclosures of domestic violence.  A retrospective review of HR data, five semi-structured interviews, and a survey of hospital leadership were conducted to explore employee experiences and preliminary outcomes associated with a workplace domestic violence leave policy and concurrent, on-site supportive services (Safe At Work Program) offered to employees experiencing domestic violence in a large, urban healthcare setting. The findings highlight the importance of innovative approaches, cross-disciplinary collaboration, confidential and expertise-driven care, a spectrum of comprehensive supports, and face-to-face on-site connection in effectively responding to domestic violence and providing meaningful support to employees experiencing it. Findings from this case study contribute to and expand upon the existing literature while calling for additional research in this area to further explore workplace-based interventions addressing domestic violence.

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