Konica Minolta Australia has teamed up with the University of NSW (UNSW) to educate its employees on dealing with domestic violence victims and offenders.
The press supplier has trained a number of key staff on becoming the go-to people for those affected by domestic violence, and is now one of a handful of Australian companies with a Domestic and Family Violence Policy.
Konica Minolta’s new policy recognises some employees may be suffering from domestic violence in silence, and has arranged provisions for victims as well as perpetrators who choose to come forward for assistance.
Anastasia Konstantelos, corporate social responsibility leader for Konica Minolta explains the training and subsequent policy will help spousal violence victims to seek refuge and assistance in the workplace.
“Konica Minolta is one of only a few companies in Australia to publish its Domestic and Family Violence Policy. On the morning of the launch of the Policy employees across Australia arrived at their workplace to find a white envelope on their desks. The envelope contained seeds symbolising hope for a future free from domestic and family violence,” says Konstantelos.
“This year a diverse group of employees in the company’s branches across Australia were trained by the UNSW as go-to people for those that wish to come forward for assistance. The role of the ‘go-to’ person is to help provide information about the provisions made in the company’s Domestic and family Violence Policy and the professional services available for people seeking assistance.”
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The Policy itself provides comprehensive paid leave, flexible working arrangements and access to an employee assistance program and also caters for employees who actively support a person experiencing family and domestic violence.
The Domestic and Family Violence Policy was developed in consultation with the UNSW and Konica Minolta’s not-for-profit-partner, the Women’s Legal Service of Queensland (WLSQ).
Cindy Reid, director of people and culture at Konica Minolta adds, “This initiative is part of Konica Minolta’s broader strategic commitment to support an inclusive, fair and supportive workplace.
The strategy includes progressive policies such as the Domestic and Family Violence Policy, Workplace Flexibility Policy and leave provisions for parents and carers. The company has in place initiatives to help address unconscious bias, review gender pay parity, and gender targets in traditionally male-dominated roles.”
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