'Huge gap' between employers and abuse survivors over workplace support

Just 8 per cent of domestic violence (DV) survivors said their employer helped them manage the impact on their work, a new study finds, while 71 per cent of employers felt confident they would know what to do. 

Research by the Humans for Purpose Academy, published today, also found that despite 85 per cent of employers recognising their duty to support staff experiencing abuse, some 89 per cent of survivors had deep concerns about revealing their situation to their boss, or did not disclose at all. 

The report, which highlights the gap between survivors' experience at work and how employers view workplace culture, also found that just 34 per cent of victims were aware of their entitlement to 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave. 

Report author and chief executive Melanie Greblo, who is herself a survivor of DV, said the research demonstrated a need for governments and businesses to play a role in helping women through such periods.

The organisation recommended a new national employer compact, expanded reporting and further government-backed incentives. 

"Most employers feel confident that they know what to do if a staff member was experiencing domestic violence, but only one in 12 survivors say their workplace actually stepped in to help them manage the impact of their experience on their work," she said.

Ms Greblo said one "huge gap" was that only a third of survivors surveyed knew that Australian employees were entitled to 10 days of leave, while more than 70 per cent of employers were aware of it.

"So the report really calls on business, government and the community at large to come together to really focus on employment as that lever for recovery," she said.

Employment 'a part of recovery' for survivors

The Humans of Purpose Academy report made five recommendations in total: 

• Dedicated research funding to map employment opportunities for women escaping DV
• Industry to lead and communicate good employer practice, with expanded government reporting
• Establish a national employer compact for DV-safe employment
• A pilot scheme incentivising small and medium businesses to complete DV workplace training
• Scale up existing, proven recovery-to-employment programs that support women to access safe, secure and sustainable employment

Ms Greblo said the research showed that ongoing employment was "a part of recovery" from DV, rather than "an outcome of recovery".

"We know that employment is critical because of the income it provides to workers, but for survivors of domestic violence, it also supports them in rebuilding a lot of other things like their self-confidence," she said.

"It gives them a social connection and a whole lot of other benefits of being employed that many of us take for granted."

Minorities more vulnerable

Ms Greblo said DV survivors were often juggling legal proceedings, counselling and supporting children who had experienced trauma while trying to gain or maintain work. 

"I think what we have is a misconception in Australia that leaving a violent relationship is the finishing line, and sadly, it's not,"

she said.

"But reaching that point of safety doesn't restore your income, it doesn't restore your confidence, your career or your financial independence overnight.

"So we really need to start treating safe, sustainable employment as part of domestic violence recovery."

She said women from minority communities were more vulnerable to a lack of support from employers and were less knowledgeable about ways to find help.

"Those barriers are compounded if you are a migrant woman who's newly arrived in Australia or has arrived in Australia and since left the partner who she came with," Ms Greblo said.

"There can be all sorts of other added barriers around that for women with visas."