Fonterra takes stand on family violence
Along-time supporter of the White Ribbon campaign, Fonterra has now launched a programme to raise awareness about family violence and provide support services for its 12,000 New Zealand employees who may need help.
The dairy co-op worked with Shine and Women’s Refuge to create a family violence policy setting out how it will create a safe and supportive environment at work.
Under the policy, Fonterra team members impacted by family violence will also be able to take up to 10 days of additional paid leave per year to attend health appointments, legal proceedings or other activities relating to family violence.
Fonterra’s managing director for people and culture, Joanne Fair, said businesses had a huge role to play in tackling what is one of New Zealand’s biggest social issues.
‘‘We want to play our part in getting our people the help they need, as the workplace is often a safe place from violence at home. This initiative is about making family violence OK to talk about within our organisation and ensuring our people know help is readily available if needed,’’ Fair said.
New Zealand has the highest reported rate of family violence in the developed world. Police are called out to a domestic violencerelated incident every four-anda-half minutes. One in three women experience physical and/ or sexual violence from a partner in their lifetime, and men can be victims too.
‘‘Careful handling of the first contact from a victim when they seek help is critical so we’re grateful for the support of Shine who have advised us on policy and provided workplace support training to some of our employees across the country,’’ Fair said.
‘‘Women’s Refuge have also assisted us with critical information to help everyone know what family violence looks like and how to respond when someone seeks help.’’
Shine’s communications manager, Holly Carrington, said with Fonterra’s size and reach, Shine’s DVFREE programme for business could directly help thousands of Kiwis to have safer and better lives.
‘‘For instance, if someone working for Fonterra is being abused by their partner, they will now know there is someone at work they can talk to in confidence about their situation, and that they will be supported to get through a difficult time and stay safe at work.’’
Ang Jury, chief executive of Women’s Refuge, said having a comprehensive policy and the tools to assist both people experiencing family violence and those supporting them at work would go a long way in ensuring that both victims and perpetrators of family violence were getting the extra help they needed.
‘‘We’re proud to partner with Fonterra and to help them move their family violence policy in to a space where it will be significant in helping staff who may be experiencing family violence,’’ Ang said.
The programme will initially be rolled out to Fonterra’s New Zealand workforce.
Fonterra will then take the learnings and look at how they might apply to its offshore operations.