Episode 44: Workplace Abuse & Career Setbacks After Domestic Violence

In this episode of Almost Oblivious, 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:The many forms workplace abuse can take (from harassment to retaliation)Real-life survivor scenarios and how abuse impacted their work livesCareer setbacks survivors commonly face (gaps in work history, loss of confidence, economic abuse)Strategies for rebuilding: resume framing, exploring trauma-informed employers, networking, and community resourcesLegal protections and “safe leave” laws (federal and state-level) — with the crucial advice: check your own state lawsWords of hope: your career may have been disrupted, but it can be rebuilt on your termsListeners will have a better understanding of how DV affects professional life — and actionable tools to move forward.Also, the episode ended up not being longer than anticipated. :)🔗 Resources:Hotlines & National SupportNational Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788The HotlineThe Hotline (website) — live chat, local provider directory, safety planning, resourcesThe HotlineNYS Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline (for New York listeners) — call 800-942-6906 or text 844-997-2121Domestic Violence Prevention OfficeLegal / Employment Protections & InformationU.S. Department of Labor — employment law FAQs and worker resourcesDOL“4 Types of Employment Laws That Can Help DV Survivors at Work” — examples of state protections & safe leave lawsDOL BlogWashington State Domestic Violence Leave Act — job-protected leave, safety accommodationsWashington Labor & IndustriesOregon’s domestic violence worker protections (reasonable accommodations, leave, confidentiality)OregonDomestic violence leave laws by state (overview/comparison)PaycorMaryland “Domestic Violence & Your Job” — info on FMLA, safe leave, unemployment after DVMaryland People's Law LibraryStatistics & ResearchSurvivors lose 8 million days of paid work per year in the U.S. due to DV. That’s equivalent to over 32,000 full-time jobs.