General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: When should a domestic abuser be fired from work? [View all]nadine_mn
(3,702 posts)In the Porter case, as abhorrent as being a domestic abuser is, the issue was his inability to get security clearance due to his likelihood of being blackmailed...due to his history of domestic violence.
He wasn't shit canned because he beat his wives, it was that he couldn't get security clearance. In this instance, the public outrage as to WHY is what led to his departure. If no publicity about it, he would still be in the office.
As to whether or not in general, a batterer should be unemployable, that is different. Each business has its own work culture: some have strict religious morality clauses, some are more laid back. A bank or financial institution is going to be more concerned with someone who has a lot of personal debt (and will require financial background checks) and a position that requires contact with children or vulnerable populations is going to be more concerned with a criminal background check.
Being "accused" of beating your partner isn't the same as having police reports, photos and protective orders filed against you...Porter's case has a lot more substantial evidence against him than Al Franken's half dozen anonymous accusers and allegations of hands around the waist.
I have been a domestic abuse advocate for over 20 yrs, and abusers never have one victim...it's a pattern of abuse that increases in severity. They are charming, manipulative violent people. As an employer, I would not hire someone with a history of domestic battery..the safety of my employees comes first. Victims (rarely) don't report to the police the first time they are hit... they will find an excuse or accept the profuse apologies abusers are so adept at giving. By the time a victim calls the police to report abuse, there has already been a long pattern of abusive behavior. Abusers don't start off with a punch...it's a long con of isolation, emotional, verbal, physical abuse that escalates over time.