Welsh Contact Centre Forum 20 January 2011 Jennifer Dunne and Wayne Vincent Equality and Human Rights Commission.

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

[email protected]

www.equalityhumanrights.com/yourbusiness