In a recent symposium organised at the University of Technology Sydney Business School, we brought key stakeholder groups, including academics, trade unions, NGOs, social enterprise, and First Nations, together to discuss ways that business can better address both the impact and underlying causes of gender-based domestic violence.

The consensus was clear: workplaces must do more to prevent and address the causes and impact of domestic violence.

Professor Anne Summers’ opening address at the symposium portrayed a painful reality as evident in her research: women without quality economic support (including employment) face horrendous choices between poverty or staying with an abusive partner.

Participants represented the diverse range of stakeholders who can disrupt this painful ‘choice’ and offer innovative pathways to safety in and through workplaces.

Trade unions, for example, have been instrumental in negotiating industrial provisions for victims. Paid domestic violence leave costs businesses just five cents per worker a day, but is crucial for worker wellbeing.

On a national and global scale, policy and guidance for workplaces still needs to be reimagined.

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There are opportunities to better position domestic violence as a workplace health and safety issue as well as a social justice issue.

Several participating NGOs emphasised, however, that plain old policy is not enough. Workplaces need to make structural changes to ensure policy implementation is gender-responsive and protects victims throughout their journey.

Academics and frontline organisations argued that workplace domestic violence policies must be part of a long-term strategy to address gender, racial and identity-based inequality in organisations.

Social enterprise Scriibed, for example, tackles labour market inequalities by providing pathways into skilled employment for victims of violence. Listening to women’s stories and placing care and wellbeing at the centre of workplace policy is also crucial to support those impacted by violence.

A time for action

So, what action should workplaces take going forward?

Make change on domestic violence policy collaboratively. Promote primary prevention of violence in the workplace. Value and listen to the voice of victims. Create dialogue with all organisational stakeholders.

And be bold. Workplaces must continue to drive change to play their role in ending domestic violence.

Dr Mihajla Gavin is a Senior Lecturer in the Management Department at UTS Business School. Dr
Ruth Weatherall is a Lecturer in the Management Department at UTS Business School.

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