Big banks offer staff ‘cultural leave’ to heal after voice referendum result

Australia’s big financial firms are offering cultural leave and counselling to their Indigenous staff not happy by the loss of the voice referendum.

Australia’s big financial firms are offering cultural leave and counselling to their Indigenous staff impacted by the loss of the voice referendum.

NAB said it was offering a range of wellbeing support, including cultural leave for Indigenous colleagues and a dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support Line. KMPG meanwhile was offering to run “yarning circles” so Indigenous staff could “heal.”

NAB Group chief executive Ross McEwan said the bank acknowledged this was a challenging time for some communities and colleagues but added NAB respects the democratic process and result of the referendum. “The people of Australia have voted,” Mr McEwan said.

Accounting giant KPMG said it will host a series of “yarning circles” to give Indigenous employees “an opportunity to come together and heal in a culturally safe space.”

A yarning circle is a process that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people use to learn from one another, build respect, and share knowledge.

KPMG also will offer cultural leave to Indigenous staff if they needed it in the wake of the referendum result. “KPMG Australia encourages all First Nations employees to take cultural leave and additional paid leave where required to help process the result of the referendum,” a KPMG spokesperspn said.

A Westpac spokesman said under its enterprise agreement all employees had two paid days of “culture, lifestyle and wellbeing” leave each year, which they can take as they choose. The spokesman said generally it was up to the individual in consultation with their manager but could apply in a wide range of areas depending on the employee’s background and beliefs.

NAB chief executive Ross McEwan.

ANZ has “special leave” that could be used by Indigenous workers if they felt aggrieved by the failure of the referendum. Commonwealth Bank did not respond to a request for comment.

Brisbane-based Suncorp said the financial group does not have cultural leave but offered personal leave as an option for staff that can be taken for a variety of reasons.

Suncorp stressed that none of the leave is specific to Indigenous employees.

”There are multiple paid and unpaid leave types available to any employee needing to access them at this time,” a spokesperson said. “Our leaders are empowered to work with their team members to provide support.”

Some senior executives have posted their personal concerns about the referendum result. Suncorp’s diversity and inclusion leader Catherina Behan in a post on LinkedIn said a yes result could “have helped to restore even the smallest amount of trust in the people and systems that have inflicted ongoing trauma and violence for centuries.”

“Imagine the devastating blow to hope, the very loud message of rejection, the overt refusal to even come to the same table,” Ms Behan said.

Yes volunteers console each other after the loss on the weekend.

Ms Behan later updated her post to say it was her personal opinion. Suncorp is based in Queensland where almost 70 per cent of people voted against the Voice. “It is my opinion only, not representative of Suncorp. I do not, and am not authorised to, speak on behalf of Suncorp,” she told The Australian.

IAG said it was offering free 24/7 counselling for staff and dedicated support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. “We also reiterated our commitment to reconciliation,” an IAG spokesperson said. “IAG is a longstanding supporter of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recognition and reconciliation.

“We will continue to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, businesses and communities to help achieve this.”

PwC Australia chief executive Kevin Burrowes told staff they may be “feeling a range of emotions in response to the referendum outcome” and staff could reach out to the Employee Assistance Program (CARE) is needed.

“Let’s look out for each other over the coming days and weeks, and continue to demonstrate respect and inclusion for all of our colleagues,” he said.