Investa office tackles domestic violence

Investa office tackles domestic violenceA new policy launched on International Day For the Elimination of Violence Against Women by property giant Investa Office underscores the role corporations can play in confronting domestic violence.Two out of three women who report violence by a current partner are in paid employment and violence against women and children costs the economy as much as $13.6 billion a year.Investa’s new policy outlines the company’s support for employees experiencing domestic violence, including counselling and up to 10 days’ paid leave each year.”The domestic violence policy comes off the back of the Male Champions of Change initiative,” explains Investa Office’s head of commercial development, Mark Tait.Investa’s managing director Jonathan Callaghan is one of 19 Property Male Champions of Change, and in conjunction with the Investa Office Diversity Committee, Tait has been leading the implementation throughout the organisation.The Human Rights Commission argues that domestic violence is not just a private or personal issue, and that the very real costs and negative impacts flow to the workplace.Without any preventative action, the financial cost could rise to $15.6 billion a year by 2022, of which $456 million will be borne by employers. Common impacts in the workplace include decreased staff performance and productivity, and increased staff turnover and absenteeism.”This is an important issue not just in the workplace, but for our whole society,” Tait says.Investa has launched what Tait calls a “multi-pronged response” involving policy, education and leadership from the top down. The company has also applied to be part of White Ribbon’s workplace program.”We want our message of leadership to go out to all the tenants and corporates in our buildings – and to let the industry know that we believe domestic violence is unacceptable,” Tait says.Former chief of army David Morrison AO (pictured), now a vocal White Ribbon ambassador, will address Investa staff and tenants this morning in Sydney on the role corporations can play in tackling domestic violence.