Telstra will now offer its employees an extra ten days of paid leave each year under its domestic violence policy. The leave will allow victims of domestic violence to take time to access counsel, legal advice or see their doctors while still being paid by their employer.
This decision means Telstra joins Virgin Australia, NAB and some Australian universities in offering domestic violence leave, and may encourage more employers to do the same. Domestic violence leave is seen as an important step towards improving support for victims of abuse and making victims feel more comfortable seeking medical and legal help.
One in three Australian women experience some form of violence perpetrated by an intimate partner, and domestic violence is currently estimated to cost the Australian economy $13.6 billion each year.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions began a campaign for domestic violence leave to be included in all employment contracts in 2013. The ACTU wishes to see domestic violence leave treated like any other form of paid personal leave in workplaces, meaning victims feel supported and are better able to manage their own wellbeing. It is also important because it allows employers to retain valuable employees by beingsupportive and understanding, according to ACTU president Ged Kearney.
“We know that one in three Australian women experience physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner and that it is not isolated to particular postcodes. Having an understanding employer actually helps women come through the abusive situation much better off,” she said.
“On the employer side, the corporate sector must understand the costs associated with losing good employees. Often helping women through this situation means they are holding on to a very good employee.”
The Australian Communications Union has congratulated Telstra on its historic decision: “The CWU nevertheless welcomes Telstra’s adoption of this policy which marks an important step towards making domestic violence leave a recognised workplace right like sick leave and parental leave,” a statement said.
The CMU did draw attention to the difference between the provision of domestic violence leave through policy and the inclusion of it as part of an employment agreement. Telstra has introduced the former, which means that while company policy provides for these 10 days of paid leave, they are not enforceable by law.
“Because it is provided for by policy, rather than being part of an award or enterprise agreement, the entitlement is not enforceable. So the actual amount of leave any employee gets will be at the discretion of management,” the statement read.
The White Ribbon Foundation has also been involved in a campaign to provide domestic violence leave to all employees.
“Workplaces benefit from being involved. We’ve seen evidence it improves productivity, reduces absenteeism, improves retention rates and change staff attitudes and behaviours,” said White Ribbon chief executive Libby Davies.
Telstra hopes its adoption of a domestic violence leave policy will signal its commitment to fighting violence against women in Australia.
“This is a legitimate form of leave and as an iconic Australian organisation we see it as important that we have a prominent role in tackling violence against women. We want our people to have long careers with us, to trust us and respect us as an employer,” said Telsta’s chief talent officer Katherine Paroz.
Telsta demonstrated this commitment in 2013, when it announced it would offer silent phone numbers to domestic violence victims free of charge. Normally, a fee is attached to requesting a silent number for Telsta customers, however the provider has committed to waiving this fee for victims of abuse in the interests of protecting their safety.
Telstra recognised the role it could play in the fight against domestic violence again in 2014. The company announced it would donate 5000 smart phones, each equipped with $30 credit, to domestic violence shelters across Australia. Given that many perpetrators of domestic violence use mobile phones to trace or attack their partners, Telstra donated the phones to allow victims access to a safe and protected phone line to seek help.