Tornant House: This extraordinary Wicklow home is on the market for €950,000
Tornant House: This extraordinary Wicklow home is on the market for €950,000

Sarah Gill

MOTHER co-founders Lisa Connell and Cormac Cashman on Cultúr Club 2024
MOTHER co-founders Lisa Connell and Cormac Cashman on Cultúr Club 2024

Sarah Gill

Supper Club: Smoked monkfish with Parma ham and rosemary
Supper Club: Smoked monkfish with Parma ham and rosemary

Meg Walker

With incredible coastal views, this future-proofed Howth home makes the most of its spectacular location
With incredible coastal views, this future-proofed Howth home makes the most of its spectacular location

Megan Burns

Birkenstock Bostons: How to style the fashion set’s favourite clogs
Birkenstock Bostons: How to style the fashion set’s favourite clogs

Sarah Finnan

This Stillorgan semi-d was transformed into a luxurious oasis by a travel-loving couple
This Stillorgan semi-d was transformed into a luxurious oasis by a travel-loving couple

Katie Byrne

This former industrial premises in Dublin 12 has been turned into a family home with two workspaces
This former industrial premises in Dublin 12 has been turned into a family home with...

IMAGE Interiors & Living

WIN afternoon tea for two at Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel
WIN afternoon tea for two at Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel

IMAGE

Explore fashion designer turned painter Petria Lenehan’s Wicklow studio
Explore fashion designer turned painter Petria Lenehan’s Wicklow studio

Nikki Walsh

How to repot your house plants, and the signs that you need to
How to repot your house plants, and the signs that you need to

Megan Burns

Image / Agenda / Breaking Stories

How Irish businesses are providing supports for employees experiencing domestic abuse


By Sarah Gill
13th May 2022

Unsplash

How Irish businesses are providing supports for employees experiencing domestic abuse

Joining a handful of Irish businesses who have already enacted domestic violence policies, Bank of Ireland will provide both financial and non-financial support to colleagues experiencing domestic abuse.

Bank of Ireland’s newly introduced Domestic Abuse Leave Policy will provide a range of supports to employees and colleagues experiencing domestic abuse, including paid leave, salary advances in emergency situations, and an increased level of flexibility.

Having partnered up with Women’s Aid in the drafting of the policy, Bank of Ireland staff will be trained in recognising signs and symptoms of abuse, as well as guidance on appropriate actions to be taken where a member of staff comes forward with their own experience of domestic violence.

Economic control is an all too common factor within domestic abuse, which this policy aims to help combat by introducing employees to a financial adviser when required. Helping to regain financial control, restructure debts and safeguarding the person who may be experiencing domestic abuse.

In a research study published last year, the Centre for Global Women’s Studies at NUI Galway “quantified the impact of domestic violence on productivity loss with women on average missing 7 to 15 days of work and being less productive for an additional 5 to 10 days.”

While tackling the prevalence of domestic violence requires a societal response, Irish employers are recognising it as a workplace issue and responding accordingly. A number of Irish universities, Vodafone and Danske Bank have already put their own policies in play relating to domestic violence, providing employees with greater independence, security and the support required to escape the situation.

Ireland is poised to follow in the footsteps of New Zealand, Australia and a number of Canadian provinces in the provision of paid leave for those experiencing domestic abuse. The Organisation of Working Time (Domestic Violence Leave) Bill is set to establish a statutory entitlement to ten days paid leave.

While it awaits government approval, the bill has been drafted and is hoped to be enacted into law soon. Until such time, businesses like Bank of Ireland are taking the steps required to ensure that work can be a safe space for all staff, committing themselves to being a confidential, helpful support where needed.

Women’s Aid operate a 24-hour national freephone helpline at 1800 341 900, with additional services available view their website at www.womensaid.ie.