Taking the First Step: Workplace Responses to Domestic and Family Violence December 2017 Nationaltable of Contents Domestic Violence Survey Respondents
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Taking the first step: Workplace responses to domestic and family violence December 2017 NationalTable of contents Domestic Violence Survey Respondents Foreword 1 Executive summary 5 Introduction 8 Australian Case Studies 17 Aurizon 17 Australia Post 18 Australian Public Service 20 Autopia 21 Carlton Football Club 22 Commonwealth Bank 24 Housing Plus 25 Konica Minolta 28 Mirvac Group 29 PwC Australia 31 Queensland Government 33 Rio Tinto 35 Telstra 38 Conclusion 40 Acknowledgements 41 If you or someone you know has experienced domestic or family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT, or visit www.1800respect.org.au B | Taking the first step: Workplace responses to domestic and family violence Taking the first step: Workplace responses to domestic and family violence Foreword Violence against women is one of the most workplace and contributes to sex discrimination serious, life threatening and widespread violations at work. Data show that women who are exposed of human rights globally. In Australia, 40.8% of to intimate partner violence are employed in women have experienced some form of violence higher numbers in casual and part-time work, since the age of 15.1 Violence against women and that their earnings from formal wage work occurs in the home, in public spaces and also are 60% lower, compared to women who do not in the workplace. Across Asia, studies in Japan, experience such violence.4 Malaysia, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea show that 30 to 40% of women suffer workplace Violence against women also carries with it sexual harassment.2 Workplaces are affected significant costs, to individuals, businesses and by violence in the workplace and by family and societies. It results in loss of income and increased domestic violence. In Australia, between 55% costs for women who experience violence, due to and 70% of women who have experienced or the cost of accessing services and days off work. are currently experiencing family and domestic For businesses, research has found significant violence are in the paid workforce,3 and costs in terms of decreased productivity due to perpetrators are also part of the workforce. violence against women, both in and outside of the workplace.5 It is estimated that domestic and Violence against women has devastating family violence will cost Australian businesses consequences for survivors, communities, $609 million annually by 2021.6 businesses and society. Violence damages survivors’ mental and physical health and Family and domestic violence is a complex undermines their educational, earning and issue, and needs to be addressed across the employment opportunities, limiting women’s full spectrum of society. However, this problem ability to fulfil their true potential. Violence, is preventable, and everyone has a role to play both at home and at the workplace, diminishes in ending violence and creating safer communities women’s participation and advancement in the for women and girls. 1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013). Personal Safety, Australia, 2012, Cat 4906.0. Available from: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/4906.0 2 UN Women, Fast facts: statistics on violence against women and girls at: http://www.endvawnow.org/en/articles/299-fast- facts-statistics-on-violence-against-women-and-girls-.html, Retrieved November 1st 2017. 3 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2005). Personal Safety, Australia, 2005, Cat. No. 4906.0, 35. Available from: www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/4906.0Main+Features12005%20(Reissue)?OpenDocument 4 World Bank (2015). Women, Business and the Law 2016: Getting to Equal. 5 Smith H. (2015). Private Sector Development Synthesis Note – Women’s Economic Empowerment, The Donor Committee for Enterprise Development. 6 The National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (2009). The Cost of Violence against Women and their Children. KPMG. Taking the first step: Workplace responses to domestic and family violence 1| Businesses in particular have a crucial role to of anyone experiencing violence and abuse, is a play in responding to all forms of violence against strong message for employers to send. Doing so women and supporting women experiencing contributes to ending violence against women, violence. The workplace presents a unique which in turn supports women’s economic opportunity to help women who may be living advancement and empowerment in the workplace with violence at home, to identify the problem – opening the doors for more talented, diverse, and assist with seeking help. Workplaces are and safe workplaces. Businesses can contribute to influential social settings where many people preventing violence against women by promoting spend the majority of their adult lives. A workplace gender equality and by changing social norms can be a place away from the abuser, where that condone, stay silent about, or tolerate women can find protection from domestic and such violence.7 intimate partner violence, through support, information and referral to services. When In Australia, many companies are now taking workplaces understand, recognise and respond important steps to address domestic and family to violence against women, women can remain violence as a workplace issue. The companies working and access the support they need. showing the greatest leadership in addressing Critically, for a woman who suffers from violence violence against women are prepared to respond at home, earning an income and economic with information and support, and have policies independence can give her the means to escape a in place to identify, inform, educate and support violent relationship. Without earnings or economic their staff to overcome domestic violence. Some resources, many women find it very difficult companies are providing paid leave to employees to leave abusive relationships. experiencing domestic and family violence, as well as giving information about services, It is also essential for businesses to deal with such as health care, counselling or legal aid for perpetrators of violence, who may be among perpetrators and victims. These measures can their workforce. Remaining silent about known provide life-altering support for people living abusive behaviour is dangerous and sends a in fear and in danger. Almost 35% of Australian message of acceptance of violence. Taking a organisations now have a domestic violence clear stance against violence, and in support policy or strategy.8 7 Secretary-General of the United Nations (2016). Intensification of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. United Nations, General Assembly, Seventy-first session, Item 27 of the provisional agenda, Advancement of Women, A/71/219, 27 July 2016 8 Workplace Gender Equality Agency (2015). Australia’s gender equality scorecard – Key findings from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s 2014–15 reporting data November 2015 2 | Taking the first step: Workplace responses to domestic and family violence Approaches that contribute to ending domestic This means involving individuals, communities, and family violence in the workplace are smart organisations and businesses across all segments investments that can result in strong financial of society. Many companies are speaking with benefits for companies.9 Supporting survivors the experts – women’s organisations in particular of violence to stay working not only optimises – to understand the issue and how they can productivity and profitability, but also reduces best support. recruitment and training costs for employers.10 To sum up, businesses have a powerful role to The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs)11 play to prevent and respond to violence against offer practical guidance to business and the women, contributing to a future where all women private sector on how to empower women in and their children live free from violence, where the workplace, marketplace and community. women are valued, safe and treated as equals. These principles are designed to support Together, it is possible to empower women to companies in reviewing or establishing policies participate fully and safely in economic life, and practices to realise women’s empowerment. build stronger economies, achieve internationally The WEPs call attention to the many positive agreed goals for development and sustainability, roles that the private sector can play to address and improve the quality of life for women, men, violence, establishing workplaces where families and communities. violence against women are not tolerated. As of November 2017, more than 1663 business leaders around the world have committed to promote gender equality in the workplace through the Women’s Empowerment Principles. Miwa Kato Regional Director Evidence shows that to prevent violence UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific against women, we must bring everyone into a conversation that questions violence and explores new ways of being in relationships. 9 Chung, D., Zufferey, C., & Powell, A. (2012). Preventing violence against women in the workplace. Australia: Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. 10 Day T., Mckenna K., and Bowlus A., (2005). The Economic Costs of Violence against Women: An Evaluation of the Literature, Expert brief compiled in preparation for the Secretary-General’s in-depth study on all forms of violence against women. United Nations and the University of Western Ontario. 11 United Nations Global Impact and UN Women (2010). Women’s Empowerment Principles – Equality Means Business. | 3 When an employee is living