HR Fresh Take

Turning Awareness into Action: Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence in Your Organization

Philadelphia SHRM Season 4 Episode 2

In this courageous and eye-opening episode of HR Fresh Take, host Dr. Jo sits down with survivor, advocate, and author Dr. Jennifer Gardella to explore how domestic violence—often considered a private issue—profoundly impacts the workplace. From emotional trauma to legal and financial barriers, Dr. Gardella shares her personal journey and offers actionable insights for HR professionals and organizational leaders.

Listeners will learn:

  • The hidden costs of domestic violence on employee well-being and productivity
  • The importance of psychologically safe environments and trauma-informed policies
  • What coworkers and leaders can say (and avoid saying) to support survivors
  • How organizations can partner with local resources and offer meaningful accommodations


This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to building compassionate, inclusive, and resilient workplaces. 

Trigger warning: This episode contains sensitive content related to domestic violence. Please listen with care.

If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to your local domestic violence center or call the National Domestic violence hotline at 800-799-SAFE. 

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