Small Business Workplaces
Why Small Businesses Need a Tailored Approach to Create Safe Workplaces
Every small business — generally defined as having 20 employees or less1 — can take meaningful action to support employees experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or harassment (DVSASH), by building safety and support into the routines, decisions, and relationships that shape the workplace. Even without formal human resource systems, employers can take practical steps to prevent harm, respond to concerns, and support employee safety by strengthening existing workplace capacity.
How Workplaces Respond’ Small Business Hub Can Help Employers Take Action
Leverage National and Community-Based Supports
Local domestic violence and sexual assault organizations can help expand workplace capacity by connecting employees to specialized services, including legal advocacy, safety planning, counseling and mental health support, and economic resources such as housing assistance, childcare, or emergency financial assistance. National organizations can further strengthen employer readiness by providing training, consultation, and guidance on developing effective workplace responses. The Workplaces Respond National Resource Center offers no-cost technical assistance, consultation, sample policies, workplace risk assessment tools, and employee educational materials to help small businesses build safer workplaces, support employees experiencing harm, and address workplace safety concerns.
Make Safety Resources Visible and Easy to Find
Employees are more likely to seek support when they know where to find it and feel confident that resources are available without judgment or barriers. The Small Business DVSASSH Poster can help employers integrate safety information into everyday workplace environments by communicating hotline numbers, local resources, and reinforcing where employees can find confidential help inside and outside the workplace.
Assess Workplace Risks and Protective Factors
Small businesses can strengthen prevention and response efforts by identifying both workplace risks and existing protective factors that support employee safety and well-being. The Navigating Risk Assessment Guide for Small Business can be used alongside the Risk and Protective Factor Assessment to help businesses identify practical opportunities to strengthen workplace prevention and response efforts within their existing operations.
Integrate Trauma-Informed Workplace Policies and Practices
For small businesses, trauma-informed policies and practices help turn commitments to safety and support into clear, actionable workplace expectations. The DVSAS Workplace Policy Guide outlines workplace expectations and response principles. The accompanying Navigating DVSAS Workplace Policy for Small Business is designed to be used alongside the guide to help small businesses apply these principles in ways that fit their capacity and workplace environments. The Fillable DVSAS Workplace Policy Template builds on these resources by giving small businesses a structured, ready-to-use format to draft practices into a written policy.