It’s Your Business

A Workplace Toolkit

Presenters:

Marian Hernandez

Project CoordinatorNB Family Violence and the WorkplaceProject. MMFC.

History

Phase I– Began in research.– Training to Crime Prevention Strategy.– Business grant partnership between MMFC and

Chamber of Commerce. Phase II

– Report and recommendations.– Representatives.– PLEIS developed the Toolkit.

Phase III– Presentation and Evaluation.

Findings

Approximately 3 women die every week in Canada at the hands of a partner.

Women are abused an average of 30 times before contacting the police.

62% of ALL women murdered in Canada are victims of Family Violence.

In 84% of the criminal harassment charges laid in New Brunswick between April 1,2000 and March 31, 2001, the victims were women. (New Brunswick Justice Information Service)

In 2000, only 38% of female spousal violence victims in New Brunswick reported the crime to the police and only 41% used a social service. (Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, 2001, Statistics Canada)

Family Violence and the Workplace Committee

The need was acknowledged for the The need was acknowledged for the development of a unified and development of a unified and coordinated approach to dealing with coordinated approach to dealing with the issues surrounding Family the issues surrounding Family Violence and its affects in the Violence and its affects in the workplace.workplace.

Thus leading to the formation of the New Brunswick Family Violence and the Workplace Committee.

Our AlliesFamily Violence and the Workplace

Committee members

Cendant Canada Muriel McQueen

Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research

Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation

Fredericton Chamber of Commerce

NB Power Office of Human

Resources, Government of New Brunswick

Chimo Helpline

Public Legal Education and Information Services of New Brunswick

River Valley Health University of New

Brunswick Public Safety and

Emergency Preparedness Canada

Beausejour Family Crisis Resource Center

CUPE Local 2745 New Brunswick Union.

Goals

To help businesses take action to address family violence and its impact on the workplace.

To promote safer, healthier and supportive work environments for everyone affected by family violence.

To develop practical, flexible training tools that will help employers deal with the impact of family violence on the workplace.

To support businesses large and small in meeting their social responsibility in preventing family violence from spilling over into the workplace.

Objectives

To provide tools that help employers:Raise awareness and help deal with the impact of family violence on the workplace.Develop or adapt supportive policies, practices and programs when it enters the work place.Deliver public Education about family violence and create a positive workplace.

Why is the Family Violence and the Workplace Toolkit Important to you?

Why is the Family Violence and the Workplace

Toolkit Important to you?

Canada ranks 4th out of 32 countries for the highest number of women assaulted in the workplace.

Co-workers are often the first to notice something is wrong.

Family Violence is one of the leading contributors of violence in the workplace (the abuser knows where and when to find their victim).

How it Affects Employer’s

In 1995, one of first studies on family violence estimated the economic costs to Canadians at $4.2 billion per year.

Domestic Violence Leads to: Increased absenteeism Impact On Employee Morale Increased risk for other employees Lost productivity Increased use of workplace benefits (potentially resulting

in millions of dollars in lost revenue per year).

Greeves, L., Hankivsky, O. & Kingston-Riechers, J. (1995). Selected Estimates of the Costs of Violence Against Women. London, Ontario: Research Centre for Violence against Women and Children.)

How it AffectsEmployees

May put employees at risk. Safety concern about their own well being

Staff intimidated by abuser. Negative Work Environment.

94% of Corporate Security Directors rank Family violence as a high security problem at their

company.

Would you know what to do?

What are your procedures?

IMAGINE….

How does this affect you personally?

1. Make it your business.2. Develop or adapt supportive policies and practices

that deal with family violence when it enters the work place.

3. Create a positive work place.4. Strengthen existing policies or programs or add new

ones – safe walk, benefits and leaves, threat assessment, etc.

5. Become a Good Corporate Citizen.1. Donate Services/products.2. Sponsor/Support community programs

Check out the “Model Family Violence Policy” included in the Toolkit!

What can Employers do?

Components include:– User’s guide – Fact sheets on the relevant topics– Family violence services (focus on NB)– Resources – videos, pamphlets, links– Family violence “messages” for the

workplace– Poster to hang in workplace– Bookmarks to share with employees– “Model” Family Violence policies and

safety plans– Promotional brochure and Post Cards– Feedback from (evaluation)– Website that shares what others are doing

Components of the Toolkit

1. What is Family Violence?2. Why employer’s should care about Family

Violence.3. Some Impacts of Family Violence on the

Workplace.4. Family Violence and the Law.5. Supportive Workplace Policy, Practices and

Programs.6. Creating A Positive Workplace.7. Being A Good Corporate Citizen.

Fact Sheets knowledge is power

Resources

TRANSITION HOUSES/SHELTERS-contact numbers & locations.

WEBSITE RESOURCES- provincial/national/international.

TELEPHONE RESOURCES- help lines.

VIDEO RESOURCES- various topics.

PUBLICATIONS.

POSTERS/BOOKMARKS/BROCHURES.

www.toolkitnb.caWebsite

Easy to use. Toolkit itself is downloadable. Available in PDF and WORD files. You may request hard copies through

website.

Create awareness – noon hour speakers, messages to employees, pamphlets, posters and resources.

Model respectful behavior everywhere in the workplace (stop workplace bullying!)

Boost employee morale and reduce stress.

Create a Positive Work Place

Make it Your Business to Care

Treat family violence seriously. Recognize its impact on the

workplace. Take action to make your

workplace safer and more supportive for all employees.

Use the Toolkit to help you take action.

Contact us to let us know what you are doing in your workplace.

Feedback.

We welcome feedback!– Was this useful to you?– Do you have success stories?– What are YOU doing?Email us!

www.toolkitnb.ca

Thank You.

www.toolkitnb.ca

Questions?

www.toolkitnb.ca

FV Facts History WorkingTogether

Government Initiatives

CommunityPrograms

Women allow abuse to occur“#” times before contacting the police.

Approximately 3 Women die every “_” in Canadaat the hands of a partner.

Canada ranks “_” out of 32 countries for highest number of women assaulted in the workplace. Abuse Including: Physical, Psychological, Sexual, Financial, etc are examples of this.

This project was started in 2004, to help businesses address F.V.A man could use a stick no wider than the width of his thumb to hit his wife.

In 1929, women officially became these.

In 1976, the federal government created ‘this’ to integrate into policy formulation.In 1984, this was amended to affirm that Aboriginal and treaty rights are guaranteed to men and women.

‘This’ happens when info, education and support is provided to break cycle of violenceThe “_” movement was a resource actualized 28 years ago.

These organizations will shelter pets for victims while they are in transition houses.This corp. paired with Transition House to provide volunteers, employees and financial support.

National Resources Centre for Canadians seeking info and solutions to violence within the family.There are 5 of these

across Canada. The closest one in NB.

This initiative was cancelled in 2000 due to a change in Government.

This initiative got started 5 years ago by a woman Premier.

This initiative has received 2.5 million dollars to continue for 5 more years.

This video portrays the experiences and strengths of Black Women.

These are violence prevention and awareness campaigns in New Brunswick.This Centre offers a multi-disciplinary graduate course in Family Violence Issues.

There are 33 of these in Atlantic Canada.

WHAT IS 30 TIMES?

In 1995, one of first studies on family violence estimated the economic costs to Canadians at ?

WHAT IS $4.2 BILLION PER

YEAR?

WHAT IS EVERY WEEK?

WHAT IS 4th PLACE?

WHAT IS FAMILY

VIOLENCE?

WHAT IS “Family

Violence , It’s Your Business- A Workplace

ToolkitWHAT IS THE RULE OF THUMB?

WHAT ARE PERSONS?

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF WOMEN?

WHAT IS THE CANADIAN CONSTI-TUTION?

WHAT IS PREVENTION?

‘WHAT IS THE “SHELTER”

MOVEMENT?

WHAT IS ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE

AND THE OROMOCTO

SPCA?

WHAT IS THE POLAROID

CORPORATION?

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL

CLEARINGHOUSE ON FAMILY VIOLENCE?

WHAT ARE CENTRES FOR

FAMILY VIOLENCE RESEARCH?

WHAT IS NOVA SCOTIA’S FAMILY

VIOLENCE PREVENTION INITIATIVE?

WHAT IS THE PREMEIR’S

ACTION COMMITTEE?

WHAT IS PROVINCIAL STRATEGY AGAINST

VIOLENCE IN NF/LAB?

WHAT IS NO MORE SECRETS?

WHAT IS CARING PARTNERSHIPS CAMPAIGNS?

WHAT IS THE MURIEL

MCQUEEN FERGUSSON CENTRE FOR

FAMILY VIOLENCE

RESEARCH?

WHAT ARE WOMEN’S

SHELTERS?

This program is symbolized by life sized red wooden silhouettes, representing NB victims dead as a result of Domestic Violence.

WHAT IS THE SILENT WITNESS

PROGRAM?

This committee is made up of 14 organization that deem FV as a priority.

WHAT IS THE NB FAMILY

VIOLENCE AND THE WORKPLACE

COMMITTEE?