Redbridge Council in the London Borough of Redbridge has signed trade union GMB’s Work to Stop Domestic Abuse Charter, in order to support employees experiencing domestic abuse.
By signing the charter, employers pledge to ensure that staff will not be disadvantaged at work, as well as offering access to services and information and providing training to be able to support staff appropriately and confidently.
According to the Redbridge Council, the charter highlights its responsibility to support its workers through new or difficult periods in their lives. The council said it will help to create an understanding and effective workplace policy to deal with the impact of domestic abuse, and will build a more nurturing, safer working environment for all.
In addition, Redbridge Council's Spotlight Programme, which was set up to help perpetrators of domestic abuse to tackle their own abusive behaviours, has received accreditation from Respect, the National Association for Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programmes and Associated Support.
Councillor Jas Athwal, leader of Redbridge Council, said: “Redbridge Council is committed to tackling domestic violence and supporting people experiencing abuse, not only around the borough but also within our organisation. We want to support our colleagues experiencing domestic abuse as best we can by providing access to support services and information confidentially.
“We will provide all our colleagues with access to toolkits, information and our policies on domestic abuse in a format that is easily and discreetly accessible, and ensure that we have employees trained across our organisation to provide support within the workplace for every member of our workforce.”
Madeline Daley, branch secretary at GMB Redbridge, added: “I am very pleased for GMB members and all staff working for Redbridge that the council has adopted the Domestic Abuse Charter so soon after signing the Reasonable Adjustments Disability Passport. Domestic abuse must be acknowledged at work, and employers need to support workers and enable them to have all the tools needed to help change their situation.”
