Earlier this week our branch equality officer and National Women’s Lead Sarah joined GMB members, officers and MP’s in Parliament to launch GMB’s new employer charter and workplace policy.
The charter calls on employers to support employees experiencing domestic abuse, to ensure they will not be disadvantaged at work, will be supported with access to services and information and that all employers train staff to be able to appropriately and confidently support staff.
The Charter was launched at a House of Commons meeting chaired by Stephanie Peacock, MP for Barnsley East and a GMB member.
According to newly published data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) for the year ending March 2018, an estimated 2.0 million adults aged 16 to 59 years experienced domestic abuse in the last year (1.3 million women, 695,000 men).
Sarah said after the event “I have never been prouder to be part of GMB and support this vital
campaign. Offering protection at work for so many to whom the workplace is their only safe place. No-one should live in fear and by showing those experiencing Domestic Abuse that they will be believed and supported at work, employers could save lives”
We have started discussions with Sandwell Council to sign up to this charter. GMB have passed congress motions to call for mandatory workplace policies and we look forward to working with MP’s in the New Year to discuss this further and implement this into the new Domestic Abuse bill.
Posted: 28th November 2018