21-60% of DV survivors lose their jobs, but few states mandate leave

Victims of intimate partner violence collectively lose 8 million days of paid work per year in the US, costing $1.17 billion in lost productivity annually. Between 21-60% of DV survivors lose their jobs due to abuse-related causes: abusers sabotage work attendance (hiding car keys, inflicting visible injuries before shifts, showing up at the workplace), and employers fire survivors for absences, tardiness, or 'drama' associated with abuse. 96% of employed DV victims experience work problems due to abuse, 56% are frequently late, and 28% leave early. Yet only a handful of states mandate that employers provide leave for DV-related needs such as court appearances for protection orders, relocating to safety, or medical treatment for injuries. Only 15% of employers have any domestic violence workplace policy, and just 4% offer DV-specific training. When survivors lose their jobs, they lose the income that is the single most important factor in achieving independence from an abuser — creating a vicious cycle where economic dependence forces them back. This persists because DV is still treated as a 'private matter' in employment law, the FMLA does not cover DV-related leave, and there is no federal workplace protection specifically for abuse survivors.