Paid Leave From Work Can Help Domestic-Violence Victims Leave Abusers [theatlantic.com]

Giving people time off to handle domestic violence issues, to find solutions, would straight-up save lives and help the lives of the children involved be infinitely less stressful; and more stable. For abuse victims with no family around for support, victim's whose concerns are discounted at every turn, having their feelings and needs respected in the workplace might just be the encouragement that gives them the will to go on.

For people living paycheck to paycheck, the idea of making a run for it, away from an abuser, when credit reports, having enough money for a security deposit on a new place, having to scrape up deposits on utilities -- all of that -- plus take time off from work for hearings? That is a devastatingly high mountain of money and requirements for a physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally exhausted person to climb. Especially if she or he is mounting the effort with children in tow and childcare costs to consider.

The idea of losing your job too? Especially if it is a source not only of income, but of structure and of social and emotional stability? 

 The fabric of our lives is so fragile these days, especially for single parents, grandparents on a fixed income raising grandchildren, veterans fighting depression, families eaten up with debt. The idea of Corporate America becoming more trauma informed and NOT contributing to the traumatization of already traumatized people? That is an idea worth advancing in conversations about trauma informed workplaces. It is an idea worth advancing as unemployment continues to fall and companies need to look at upping their wages and benefits packages to attract -- and keep -- good people. 

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