AUGUSTA (AP) – Domestic violence often has an impact on victims where they work, a state-sponsored survey of more than 120 domestic violence victims suggests.

And that can lead to increased absenteeism, higher health costs and decreased productivity, says the survey and report released Friday by the Maine Department of Labor and Family Crisis Services.

“It hurts our economy,” Gov. John Baldacci said at a news conference that marked Domestic Abuse Awareness Month. “Its hurts our families and children. And I think it hurts the reputation of our state.”

Baldacci and state Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman urged employers to enact domestic-violence action plans, and to remember that abuse is not the victim’s fault.

The survey showed that abuse sometimes takes place at work, even if women moved away or hid from their abusers. Seventy-eight percent said the abuser showed up at their workplace, and 13 percent said they were actually assaulted at work.

Nearly 80 percent of the women responding said abuse at home caused them to arrive late to work, and 87 percent said the abuser made harassing calls to their work phone. Ninety-eight percent of the women said the violence affected their ability to concentrate while on the job.

It also said that 93 percent were unaware that Maine law requires employers to provide time off to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Six out of 10 women surveyed said they lost or quit a job as a result of domestic violence.

Survey results also suggested that some employers were unresponsive to victims’ concerns and that many victims feared they’ll be fired if they ask for help.