By Sara D’Arcy, Head of Advocacy and Communications at Surviving Economic Abuse
Economic abuse is a hidden but devastating form of domestic abuse that often plays out in the workplace. It involves a partner, ex-partner, or family member controlling a person’s money and economic resources; including transport, phone, and employment. Our research shows that one in five female employees experienced economic abuse last year, highlighting that having a job or independent income does not protect someone. In fact, abusers often weaponise victim-survivors’ employment and earnings as tools of control.
Employers have a critical role to play in responding to economic abuse, and ensuring survivors can safely maintain their employment while rebuilding their lives. The Government’s new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy recognises that employers have a unique responsibility and opportunity to support victim-survivors and address abuse in the workplace. Employers can play an active role in preventing a victim-survivor’s job from being weaponised by an abuser, and ensure a survivor’s workplace is a place of safety.
Economic abuse in the workplace
Abusers may deliberately sabotage the victim-survivor’s employment and career prospects as part of a wider pattern of domestic abuse. This may continue after an abusive relationship has ended. What might appear as a drop in an employee’s performance could reflect the abuser targeting them at work. For example, the abuser may control a victim-survivor’s access to transport to make them late, or constantly call or message the victim-survivor to disrupt their ability to work. Three per cent of UK women reported that a current or ex-partner stopped or disrupted their ability to work or study. It is, therefore, vital that line managers feel confident to identify economic abuse and have supportive and safe conversations if they believe someone may be experiencing it.
Another form of economic abuse is when an abuser controls someone’s wages. Victim-survivors may have to account for every penny or avoid social situations because their abuser is restricting their spending, or their wages may be paid into a bank account that they cannot access. Colleagues who notice these patterns can express concern and let them know support is available.
Even after escaping their abuser(s), victim-survivors may face challenges in rebuilding their safety and economic stability. Establishing independence from an abuser is time and resource intensive, often involving multiple agencies and professionals over long periods. Victim-survivors may need time off work for court hearings, housing appointments, or childcare while managing trauma and mental health impacts. Some must flee their home or local area, sometimes leaving jobs that provided life-saving financial stability if employers do not offer flexibility. Maintaining or regaining employment is therefore critical to long-term safety and freedom.
How employers can help
Employers can make a huge difference by identifying and understanding economic abuse and responding safely. Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) and TSB bank joined forces to launch the Spotting the Signs Challenge to help people recognise the warning signs and respond supportively if a colleague, friend, or family member is experiencing economic abuse. Employers can share the Challenge to help build awareness across their workforce.
Training is also key. SEA’s Economic Abuse Awareness for Employers training equips HR teams, managers, and colleagues with the knowledge and tools to recognise economic abuse and respond appropriately. It covers how economic abuse shows up in the workplace, its impact, and practical steps to help survivors remain or return to work safely.
Employers are also uniquely placed to offer direct practical support. Paid leave, flexible working, salary advances, and financial assistance can be life-changing. For example, TSB Bank provides a flee fund of up to £500 for new and existing customers, as well as colleagues, to help victim-survivors take steps to safety. SEA’s Banking Support Directory includes information on what support your bank can offer. In addition to a hardship fund, at SEA, we offer 10 additional days of paid leave and flexible working adjustments for colleagues experiencing domestic abuse. Clear safeguarding measures – such as a domestic abuse policy, safety planning support, and trained team members – can help victim-survivors to feel safe disclosing economic abuse at work. We have free online guidance for employers, including advice on reasonable adjustments and best practice examples, to help get you started.
By recognising economic abuse and taking action, employers can play a life-saving role in helping survivors regain control, safety, and economic freedom. At SEA, we believe no one should have to choose between safety and financial security – and workplaces are a vital part of the solution.
