By Aneeka Simonis
EMPLOYERS are being encouraged to redraft their workplace policies to automatically grant employees leave as a result of illness or injury caused by family violence.
Paid counselling for victims and awareness training for staff is also part of the proposal being pushed in the Cardinia shire business community as part of a council-led family violence prevention campaign.
Employee welfare is a key driver for the proposal but businesses are being made to consider the bottom line benefits of providing better support to victims of family violence.
It is estimated that last year family violence cost the Australian economy $21.7 billion.
That figure includes direct losses within the workplace, with victims of family violence often taking more time off or becoming less productive due to stress, distraction or injury.
Some leave the workforce altogether, adding to issues of high employee turnover.
Large employers including Outlook Community Centre in Pakenham are already on their way to becoming White Ribbon accredited workplaces and more local employers are being encouraged to make changes within their workplace to shift cultures supporting the scourge of violence toward women and children.
Employers can commit to support employees by rewriting policies to ensure victims of family violence will be granted confidential leave if requested, and can access employer-paid counselling.
The same offer would be extended to family violence perpetrators.
Employers are also being encouraged to provide awareness training for staff and volunteers on how to pick up on the signs of family violence, and how to respond to an incident or to someone disclosing that they are a victim of domestic violence.
The council-led Together We Can campaign, in conjunction with Family Life, is behind the call for workplace support for victims.
Family Life Deputy CEO Allison Wainwright said family violence starts with disrespect and the whole community needs to get on board to help address the complex and deeply entrenched social problem.
“I want Cardinia shire to be known as a place where people feel safe – at work, at home, at school and at play.
“Too often women have to leave their jobs to relocate and hide from their perpetrator, giving up their work, friends and security,” she said.
All workplaces already have a legal obligation to protect the health and wellbeing of their staff and contractors.”
Andrew Douglas from Dandenong’s M&K Lawyers said: “Employers need to ensure they and their supervisors have the necessary skills to notice, support and protect their staff. Failure to do so attracts strong penalties and hefty fines.”
Two-thirds of women experiencing family violence across the country are employed.
Victims living in the outer south-east region – including in Cardinia shire, Casey and Greater Dandenong – experience far greater rates of family violence than in other areas of Victoria.
Data shows as 12.5 per cent jump in family violence reports this year compared to last.
There are approximately 500 more reports of violence per 100,000 population in the area compared with the average rate recorded statewide.
Casey and Greater Dandenong reported similar rates.
Anyone who is experiencing violence or suspect someone else is can contact 1800 RESPECT for advice and support. In an emergency, call police on triple zero.
