Domestic violence: Government checks on big employers for support measures
BANKS, telcos and retail giants are among more than 100 top companies to be audited by the state government to assess what — if any — policies they have in place to address domestic violence.
NSW
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BANKS, telcos and retail giants are among more than 100 top companies to be audited by the state government to assess what — if any — policies they have in place to address domestic violence.
The survey’s findings will be used to ensure firms have schemes in place to support victims and deal with perpetrators on the payroll.
Businesses will be questioned on levels of abuse among employees, whether victims got paid leave and if assailants were given unpaid leave.
Workplaces will also be quizzed on approaches if victim and abuser were both employed at the company and how much proof an abuse victim was required to present to their employer.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Pru Goward said it needed to be tackled in the workplace so it could be stamped out elsewhere.
“We hope the results of this survey will allow us to gauge the current state of play in the workforce when it comes to supporting those affected,” she said.
It is expected most businesses will lack comprehensive domestic violence plans and Ms Goward wants as many businesses as possible to sign up to the survey.
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“Tackling domestic and family violence is a major commitment of the NSW government and requires a whole-of-community response to be effective,” she said.
“This particularly applies to the workplace, which is why I am encouraging participation in this survey from a range of industries including retail, construction, health, banking, sport and media.”
At the Commonwealth Bank staff are able to claim $1000 cash cards, paid leave, free phones and grocery vouchers if they are victims.
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Chair of the bank’s domestic violence working group Catherine Fitzpatrick said nearly 3000 staff and customers had accessed the domestic violence support scheme since its launch less than a year ago.
“We have been really shocked but not surprised by the take-up rate,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.
“We know that it’s an uncomfortable truth that we would have victims and perpetrators in our workforce.”