Suncorp New Zealand was awarded
the DVFREE Tick from Shine this week, joining a growing number of employers
committed to a workplace free
from domestic violence.
Suncorp New Zealand’s worked with Shine to
achieve the DVFREE Tick by developing training and support to ensure employees
are equipped to support colleagues affected by domestic violence, and to help
those experiencing domestic violence feel safe and supported at work.
“Domestic violence is not
tolerated at Suncorp New Zealand, and I hope that our ongoing collaboration
with Shine and the DVFREE Tick programme will make it easier for employees
affected by domestic violence to raise their voice and ask for help,” says
Catherine Dixon, Suncorp New Zealand Executive General Manager People and
Culture.
“As an employer, we can support our people when we know
about the things that might be impacting their health and wellbeing. For
employees, a workplace should be a safe place of refuge, and a place where
employees know who to go to and feel confident they will be supported when they
need help.”
She says with an increase in flexible working, and the
recurring lockdowns and self-isolation requirements due to Covid-19,
increasingly an employee’s home is their workplace. “With specialist
support from Shine, we are able to provide our people with a work environment
where those affected by domestic violence are able to and feel supported to
speak up, are treated with
dignity and empathy, and where safety and privacy is protected.”
“Suncorp have made a significant commitment to addressing
the issue of domestic violence, with corporate sponsorship and staff
fundraising for Shine for the last several years, and also now with support
being provided for their own people impacted by domestic violence. We are so
proud to be a Suncorp community partner,” says Shine’s General Manager Sally
Ward.
Suncorp is the 15th employer awarded the DVFREE Tick, with
more currently working towards this accreditation. Hundreds more employers have
engaged with DVFREE training and policy consultation services, and well over
one thousand have downloaded the DVFREE Guidelines for Policy and Procedures.
