Presidential Documents

24339 

Federal Register 

Vol. 77, No. 76 

Monday, April 23, 2012 

Title 3— 

The President 

Memorandum of April 18, 2012 

Establishing Policies for Addressing Domestic Violence in the 

Federal Workforce 

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies 

Despite the considerable progress made since the initial passage of the 

Violence Against Women Act in 1994 (Public Law 103–322), domestic violence remains a significant problem facing individuals, families, and communities. Domestic violence causes two million injuries each year, and an 

average of three women in the United States die each day as a result 

of domestic violence. While a disproportionate number of victims are women, 

domestic violence can affect anyone. 

The effects of domestic violence spill over into the workplace. The Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that domestic violence costs 

our Nation $8 billion a year in lost productivity and health care costs 

alone, and other studies have suggested that the full economic impact is 

even higher. Moreover, many victims of domestic violence report being 

harassed in the workplace or experiencing other employment-related effects. 

As the Nation’s largest employer, the Federal Government should act as 

a model in responding to the effects of domestic violence on its workforce. 

Executive departments and agencies (agencies) have taken steps to address 

this issue, including by enhancing the quality and effectiveness of security 

in Federal facilities and by linking victims of domestic violence with Employee Assistance Programs. By building on these important efforts and 

existing policies, the Federal Government can further address the effects 

of domestic violence on its workforce. 

It is the policy of the Federal Government to promote the health and safety 

of its employees by acting to prevent domestic violence within the workplace 

and by providing support and assistance to Federal employees whose working 

lives are affected by such violence. Therefore, by the authority vested in 

me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States 

of America, I hereby direct the following: 

Section 1. Government-wide Guidance to Address the Effects of Domestic 

Violence on the Federal Workforce. Within 240 days of the date of this 

memorandum, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 

shall, in consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health 

and Human Services, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Homeland 

Security, and other interested heads of agencies: 

(a) issue guidance to agencies on the content of agency-specific policies, 

as required by section 2 of this memorandum, to prevent domestic violence 

and address its effects on the Federal workforce. The guidance shall include 

recommended steps agencies can take as employers for early intervention 

in and prevention of domestic violence committed against or by employees, 

guidelines for assisting employee victims, leave policies relating to domestic 

violence situations, general guidelines on when it may be appropriate to 

take disciplinary action against employees who commit or threaten acts 

of domestic violence, measures to improve workplace safety related to domestic violence, and resources for identifying relevant best practices related 

to domestic violence; 

(b) establish a process for providing technical assistance to agencies in 

developing agency-specific policies, consistent with the guidance created 


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24340 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 76 / Monday, April 23, 2012 / Presidential Documents 

pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, that meet the needs of their 

workforce; and 

(c) consider whether issuing further guidance is warranted with respect 

to sexual assault and stalking and, if so, issue such guidance. 

Sec. 2. Agency-Specific Actions and Policies. (a) Within 90 days from the 

date of this memorandum, each agency shall make available to the Director 

of OPM any existing agency-specific policies and practices for addressing 

the effects of domestic violence on its workforce. 

(b) Within 120 days from the issuance of the guidance created pursuant 

to section 1 of this memorandum, each agency shall develop or modify, 

as appropriate, agency-specific polices for addressing the effects of domestic 

violence on its workforce, consistent with OPM guidance. Each agency shall 

submit for review and comment to the Director of OPM, a draft new or 

modified agency-specific policy. In reviewing the draft agency-specific policies, the Director of OPM shall consult with the Attorney General, the 

Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary 

of Homeland Security, and other interested agency heads. Each agency shall 

issue a final agency-specific policy within 180 days after submission of 

its draft policy to the Director of OPM. 

Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: 

(i) the authority granted by law to an agency, or the head thereof; or 

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 

relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. 

(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable 

law and subject to the availability of appropriations. 

(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right 

or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by 

any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, 

its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. 

The Director of OPM is hereby authorized and directed to publish this 

memorandum in the Federal Register. 

THE WHITE HOUSE, 

Washington, April 18, 2012 

[FR Doc. 2012–9899 

Filed 4–20–12; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 6325–01–P 


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