Instructions for employees experiencing domestic abuse

What do these instructions cover?

These instructions explain the support Reykjavík City offers employees experiencing domestic abuse. If you are experiencing domestic abuse and it affects your work, talking to your employer about the situation can feel daunting.

You might feel ashamed, worry about your reaction to opening up, or fear the impact on your professional standing.

The health and safety of every employee matters to the City. Reykjavík City remains committed to supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse, whether through increased workplace flexibility, paid leave, or other accommodations.

Managers will listen without judgment and support whatever decisions you make.

What is domestic abuse? A definition

Domestic abuse is violence committed by someone close to the victim — meaning the perpetrator and victim are related, connected, or share a history. Abuse qualifies as domestic when the perpetrator is related or connected to you, such as a spouse, former spouse, family member, or caregiver. Domestic abuse occurs regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

The abuse takes many forms and fundamentally involves one person exerting power and control over another. It can manifest physically, psychologically, sexually, or financially, among other ways.

You can read more about the various manifestations of domestic abuse here.

Research indicates that women are more likely than men to experience severe domestic abuse and that the abuse they endure tends to last longer. At Reykjavík City, all employees receive the same support regardless of how they define their gender, their gender identity, or the type of abuse they have faced.

Illustration of a cutting in a flower pot.

What help is available to you?

We encourage you to contact domestic abuse experts who can offer counseling and support. At the bottom of this page, you will find a list of organizations and community groups providing this assistance. You should choose the counseling option that best fits your needs. Always call 112 if you are in immediate danger.

Reykjavík City can also provide support if you want it. You can speak with your direct supervisor or contact the City's Department of Human Resources & Work Environments — whichever makes you more comfortable. Disclosing the abuse at work remains your decision, but doing so is crucial if the situation affects your job performance. Domestic abuse can impact work performance, potentially leading to lower productivity, frequent tardiness, or significant absence.

If you disclose the abuse, you have the right to your employer's support. In certain cases, informing someone about the abuse proves vital for your personal safety. If you disclose domestic abuse to your supervisor, you should expect to:

  • Find understanding about your situation and get time to talk.
  • Receive support.
  • Have your confidentiality protected, except when an immediate safety risk exists.
  • See your safety treated as a priority.

The person you choose to speak with should not:

  • Demand proof of the abuse.
  • Contact the perpetrator.
  • Pressure you into seeking help.

If you choose to disclose the abuse, the focus will be on:

  • Ensuring your safety at the workplace.
  • Accommodating your needs regarding job responsibilities, workload, and other position demands. This support may include paid leave or greater flexibility in work hours or location.
  • Ensuring your digital safety at work.

Disclosing domestic abuse should not affect your career advancement, provided you meet your agreed work responsibilities. We will maintain strict confidentiality, though protecting your safety — or the safety of others — may occasionally require informing other staff members. This only happens in consultation with you and with your consent, and we only inform those who need to know.

If the perpetrator displays threatening behavior at your workplace or uses work-owned devices to commit abuse, document this whenever possible and retain the records. That information can serve as evidence of the abuse if needed. We will also document any violation of a restraining order at the workplace.

Research shows that false reports of domestic abuse are extremely uncommon. If you disclose abuse to your employer, they should meet you with understanding and believe you. However, if your allegations lack basis and your employer has made accommodations, this constitutes a breach of trust.