Supporting White Ribbon Day, NEC Australia introduces domestic violence leave for staff
Announcement posted by NEC Australia 25 Nov 2016
Supporting White Ribbon Day, NEC Australia introduces domestic violence leave for staff
Melbourne, 25 November 2016 - NEC Australia, a leading technology solutions and services company, has announced a new workplace policy that offers paid leave to victims of domestic violence.
Under the policy, full time employees will be able to apply for 10 days leave as a special category that does not impact their personal or sick leave. By adopting the policy, NEC Australia has committed to helping victims of domestic violence feel confident to seek help and support from the company. It also guides the response of NEC Australia and workplace managers to employees whose work life is affected by domestic violence.
Friday 25 November is White Ribbon Day, a national day for the prevention of violence against women. This White Ribbon Day, NEC Australia is calling upon all companies in Australia’s technology industry to adopt better support for all victims of domestic violence.
”NEC Australia is committed to providing a supportive and understanding environment for staff by implementing appropriate options for employees who require support, as a result of the effects of domestic violence,” said Sue Roberts, Director of People and Culture at NEC Australia.
“Unfortunately the statistics show that domestic violence is not a rare occurrence. On average, one woman is killed every week in Australia as a result of domestic violence. It’s time that the community comes together to better support victims of violence so they can safely leave their dangerous home environment and start a better life,” she added.
“Families, friends and workplaces are tasked with an important role of supporting victims of domestic violence when they are at their greatest need, and I encourage all IT Companies in Australia to implement a domestic violence policy to encourage change,” commented Sue Roberts.
NEC Australia’s policy applies to male and female employees, however incidents reported to state police across Australia overwhelmingly concern female victims. In 2014 police in Australia recorded just under 54,000 victims of domestic violence-related assault. There were 12 times as many female victims of domestic violence compared to male victims in some states, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
NEC Australia operates Australia-wide with large workforces in metropolitan and regional areas in all States and Territories in the country, with over 1700 employees.
Importantly, NEC Australia is adopting a holistic approach to responding to staff affected by domestic violence. NEC Australia team managers and its ‘People and Culture’ unit are required to treat employee reports of domestic violence confidentially.
“Anyone who is experiencing domestic violence can raise the issue with their team manager or directly with People and Culture in the knowledge that the matter will be treated sympathetically and confidentially,” said Sue Roberts.
NEC Australia’s leave policy takes into account time required by employees who are victims of domestic violence, which includes time taken for medical and legal assistance, court appearances, counselling, relocation, and making other safety arrangements. The amount of leave provided will be determined by the individual’s situation through consultation between the employee, their Team Manager and People and Culture.
Under the policy, employees and contractors of NEC Australia are guaranteed that information concerning matters of domestic violence are treated confidentially by team managers and staff from People and Culture.
Ends
Angela Coombes
Public Relations Manager
NEC Australia Pty Ltd
M: 0417 805 441
E: angela.coombes@nec.com.au
NEC on: Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, LinkedIn
au.nec.com
Under the policy, full time employees will be able to apply for 10 days leave as a special category that does not impact their personal or sick leave. By adopting the policy, NEC Australia has committed to helping victims of domestic violence feel confident to seek help and support from the company. It also guides the response of NEC Australia and workplace managers to employees whose work life is affected by domestic violence.
Friday 25 November is White Ribbon Day, a national day for the prevention of violence against women. This White Ribbon Day, NEC Australia is calling upon all companies in Australia’s technology industry to adopt better support for all victims of domestic violence.
”NEC Australia is committed to providing a supportive and understanding environment for staff by implementing appropriate options for employees who require support, as a result of the effects of domestic violence,” said Sue Roberts, Director of People and Culture at NEC Australia.
“Unfortunately the statistics show that domestic violence is not a rare occurrence. On average, one woman is killed every week in Australia as a result of domestic violence. It’s time that the community comes together to better support victims of violence so they can safely leave their dangerous home environment and start a better life,” she added.
“Families, friends and workplaces are tasked with an important role of supporting victims of domestic violence when they are at their greatest need, and I encourage all IT Companies in Australia to implement a domestic violence policy to encourage change,” commented Sue Roberts.
NEC Australia’s policy applies to male and female employees, however incidents reported to state police across Australia overwhelmingly concern female victims. In 2014 police in Australia recorded just under 54,000 victims of domestic violence-related assault. There were 12 times as many female victims of domestic violence compared to male victims in some states, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
NEC Australia operates Australia-wide with large workforces in metropolitan and regional areas in all States and Territories in the country, with over 1700 employees.
Importantly, NEC Australia is adopting a holistic approach to responding to staff affected by domestic violence. NEC Australia team managers and its ‘People and Culture’ unit are required to treat employee reports of domestic violence confidentially.
“Anyone who is experiencing domestic violence can raise the issue with their team manager or directly with People and Culture in the knowledge that the matter will be treated sympathetically and confidentially,” said Sue Roberts.
NEC Australia’s leave policy takes into account time required by employees who are victims of domestic violence, which includes time taken for medical and legal assistance, court appearances, counselling, relocation, and making other safety arrangements. The amount of leave provided will be determined by the individual’s situation through consultation between the employee, their Team Manager and People and Culture.
Under the policy, employees and contractors of NEC Australia are guaranteed that information concerning matters of domestic violence are treated confidentially by team managers and staff from People and Culture.
Ends
Angela Coombes
Public Relations Manager
NEC Australia Pty Ltd
M: 0417 805 441
E: angela.coombes@nec.com.au
NEC on: Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, LinkedIn
au.nec.com