Is my colleague suffering from abuse? The subtle signs we often misunderstand

"Abuse doesn't have to leave a bruise to leave damage. It can be emotional, psychological, financial. And it can be almost impossible to spot unless you understand the patterns. For many people suffering from abuse, the workplace may be the only space where they have a degree of independence. Yet the signs of what's happening at home are frequently misread as poor performance, disengagement or lack of professionalism."

"HR teams often see someone who's repeatedly late, distracted or missing deadlines and assume they've lost motivation. But sometimes there's another story entirely. She was often late. She seemed anxious and distracted. Her once-strong performance had dipped. Her confidence had evaporated. Her work laptop had been sent for repair multiple times because keys kept malfunctioning. What her employer didn't know was what was happening at home."

Domestic abuse often remains invisible and controlled, with workplace performance being the only visible indicator of hidden suffering. Abuse takes many forms—emotional, psychological, and financial—beyond physical violence. Survivors may experience sudden reliability changes, anxiety, distraction, and confidence loss at work, which employers frequently misinterpret as poor motivation or lack of professionalism. The workplace may represent the only space where abuse victims maintain independence. Recognizing these subtle patterns requires understanding that behavioral shifts often reflect home situations rather than work-related issues. Colleagues and HR teams who understand these connections can provide crucial support and prevent wrongful disciplinary action against vulnerable employees.

Read at Psychologies