Dealing with family and domestic violence in the workplace

The Victorian Trades Hall Council’s guide Understanding Family Violence as A Workplace Issue states “Family violence does not stay at home, but it comes to work, whether with victim survivors or perpetrators of violence”.

This document is an essential guide to family and domestic violence issues, and contains vital advice on how a victim/survivor can be best assisted, supported and kept safe at work. Below are a few tips, the full guide can be found at the link below.

Developing a workplace safety plan

Start by asking the victim/survivor if they want to develop a plan and what it should contain. Keep your focus on keeping the person safer at the workplace.

The following list provides some prompts to assist with thinking about what may need to be considered when developing the plan:

Assess the physical workplace:

• Is the building open to the public, isolated, secure?

• Do workers work together or alone?

• Are the carpark areas or walkways to the workplace safe and visible?

• If there are public zones in the workplace is there a safe room that can be locked from inside that is available and easily accessible? Is there a way of opening this door from the outside in an emergency if it was locked from inside?

• Do workers work outside of the workplace building or in public spaces (i.e. community outreach, outdoor spaces, building sites in public areas, bus drivers)

Changes to schedule:

• Can the worker be moved to another worksite temporarily or permanently?

• Can the worker have phone calls and emails screened or have their contact details changed?

• Is it possible to alter and vary start and finish times for the worker or arrange for different ways for them to work such as from home if that is the safer option?

Security:

• Do relevant staff know the details of the perpetrator? (e.g. reception staff, security)

• Can the staff identify the perpetrator – are they already known to them, or do they have a photo of the person? Do staff know what action to take if the perpetrator attends the workplace or calls. Is there a safety management plan in place for them as well?

• Do these staff members know what to do if the perpetrator does attend the workplace?

• Is there a court order and has a copy been provided to the workplace?

When the perpetrator and victim survivor work in the same workplace

The victim survivor’s safety is paramount in this situation, and it may be that the perpetrator needs to be relocated to another work site. There is a specific section in the guide devoted to addressing the issue of perpetrators at work. 

Good news

The union movement long ago recognised family violence as a workplace issue and collectively argued for this to be addressed through the negotiation of family violence clauses into Enterprise Agreements. It also extensively lobbied for legislative change and won. Under new laws introduced in 2023, employees in Australian organisations or businesses are entitled to 10 days of paid family domestic violence leave annually. This includes part-time and casual employees.

In May this year, the Federal Government pledged to establish the Leaving Violence Program – so those escaping violence “can receive financial support, safety assessments and referrals to support pathways”.

Those eligible will be able to access up to $5,000 in financial support along with referral services, risk assessments and safety planning.

Services

For those being subjected to family violence:

1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732

www.1800respect.org.au

Nationwide - 24/7

Safe Steps

1800 015 188 www.safesteps.org.au

Victorian - 24/7

Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service (FVPLS) 1800 105 303

www.fvpls.org/index.php

Victoria

Sexual Assault Crisis Line

1800 806 292 www.sacl.com.au

In Touch - Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence

www.dvrcv.org.au/intouch-multicultural-centre-against-family-violence

Our Watch www.ourwatch.org.au

Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) www.casahouse.com.au

WIRE

Free and confidential information & referral service for Victorian women.

www.wire.org.au

Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria www.dvrcv.org.au

Domestic Violence Victoria www.dvvic.org.au

 For those seeking assistance in changing their violent behaviour:

Mensline Australia

1300 789 978 www.mensline.org.au

Men’s Helpline, Centrecare

1800 000 599

www.centrecare.com.au

Download your free guide Understanding Family Violence as A Workplace Issue at: weareunion.org.au/fv_workplace_issue