The impact of intimate partner violence on the health and work of gender and sexual minorities in Canada.

OBJECTIVES: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has significant impacts on workers and workplaces. This paper examines the experiences of gender and sexual minority (GSM) people in this context.

METHODS: People aged 15 and older completed an online survey on the impacts of IPV at work, and brief health and life quality questions. Of 7918 respondents, 8.5% (n = 672) indicated GSM status. We examined IPV exposure, health and IPV-related work impacts by overall GSM status, and separately by sexual orientation, and gender.

RESULTS: GSM respondents were significantly more likely to report IPV and that the IPV continued at or near their workplace, impeded their ability to get to work, negatively impacted their work performance, and their co-workers; they also reported poorer mental health and life quality. While women were significantly more likely to report IPV and various negative work and health outcomes, being a sexual minority had additional independent negative effects. No differences in willingness to disclose IPV were found.

CONCLUSIONS: Workplace responses to IPV should account for the additional impacts and barriers faced by GSM people in disclosing abuse and seeking help.