Following the launch of its Domestic and Family Violence Support Policy, Konica Minolta now has a diverse group of employees across Australia trained by experts from the University of NSW (UNSW) to act as ‘go-to’ people for victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.
Anastasia Konstantelos, Corporate Social Responsibility Leader, Konica Minolta, said, “Last year, Konica Minolta became one of only a few companies in Australia to publish its Domestic and Family Violence Policy. On the morning of the launch of the Policy, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, 25 November 2015, employees across Australia arrived at their workplace to find a white envelope on their desks. The envelope contained seeds symbolising hope for a future free from domestic and family violence.”
In recognition that employees may be experiencing domestic and family violence, Konica Minolta’s Domestic and Family Violence Support Policy makes provisions for victims as well as perpetrators who choose to come forward for assistance. The Policy provides comprehensive paid leave, flexible working arrangements and access to an employee assistance program and also caters for employees who actively support a person experiencing family and domestic violence. The Domestic and Family Violence Policy was developed in consultation with the UNSW and Konica Minolta’s not-for-profit-partner, the Women’s Legal Service of Queensland (WLSQ).
“This year a diverse group of employees in the company’s branches across Australia were trained by the UNSW as ‘go-to’ people for those that wish to come forward for assistance. The role of the ‘go-to’ person is to help provide information about the provisions made in the company’s Domestic and family Violence Policy and the professional services available for people seeking assistance,” Konstantelos said.
These contacts were recently surveyed to help Konica Minolta understand the experience of the ‘go-to’ people and identify additional training needs. Using the feedback from the survey, representatives from the UNSW Gendered Violence Research Network prepared a specifically tailored workplace refresher course. The course contained new case studies and information on how to deal with disclosures around domestic and family violence.
Cindy Reid, Director People and Culture, Konica Minolta, said, “This initiative is part of Konica Minolta’s broader strategic commitment to support an inclusive, fair and supportive workplace. The strategy includes progressive policies such as the Domestic and Family Violence Policy, Workplace Flexibility Policy and leave provisions for parents and carers. The company has in place initiatives to help address unconscious bias, review gender pay parity, and gender targets in traditionally male-dominated roles.”