welsh contact centre forum 20 january 2011 jennifer dunne and wayne vincent equality and human...
TRANSCRIPT
Welsh Contact Centre Forum
20 January 2011
Jennifer Dunne and Wayne Vincent
Equality and Human Rights Commission
The Commission
• Created October 1 2007
• Independent statutory body
• Promote equality
• Tackle inequality
• Promote good relations
• Promote and protect human rights
Our vision
• A society built on fairness and respect
• People confident in all aspects of their diversity
How we work • Building partnerships
• Bringing people together
• Brokering difficult debates
• Developing networks
• Sharing effective practice
• Building on our learning
• Modern regulator
Working with business
• Equality Act
• Tips and guidance
• Good business sense
Our research
• 97% of Welsh adults think that it is never acceptable to bully or hit a partner under any circumstance
• 19% of Welsh adults think that domestic abuse is best handled as a private matter instead of by the police.
What is domestic abuse?Domestic abuse can include a wide range of
abusive and controlling behaviours, including:
- Physical
- Psychological
- Emotional
- Sexual
- Financial control;
The facts• 1 in 4 women experience domestic abuse in
their lifetime
• 2 women a week are killed by (ex-) partners
• Every minute 1 incident of domestic abuse reported to the police – yet only 35% of domestic abuse incidents are reported to the police
• On average a women is assaulted 35 times before seeking assistance
Why action is needed in the workplace
• 75% of victims are targeted at work• Costs UK businesses over £2.7 billion a year• Half the costs of such sickness absences is
covered by the employer and half by the individual in lost wages
Impact on the workplace• Sick days• Absenteeism• Lateness• Stress• Decreased productivity • Employee turnover• Impact on work colleagues• Employee convicted perpetrator - organisation
reputation
What you can do
Make your workplace a safe place
where colleagues can discuss,
disclose and ask for help
Top Ten Tips• Be aware that domestic abuse can take
many different forms
• Talk about domestic abuse
• Look for sudden changes in behaviour/quality of work
• Look for changes in dress
• Believe an employee- do not ask for proof
Top Ten Tips• Move an employee out of public view
• Divert phone calls and email messages
• Alert reception and security staff
• Put up domestic abuse helpline posters on the back of toilet doors
• Have a list of the support services offered in your area
EHRC toolkit• Digital story
• Practical tips and guidance for developing a policy
• Bridget’s story – the business case for having a policy
Further information tel: 029 20447710
www.equalityhumanrights.com/yourbusiness