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Medibank has committed to providing greater workplace support to employees experiencing domestic and family violence by providing uncapped paid leave.
In 2016, the health insurer introduced 10 days of paid leave to employees suffering from domestic and family violence, to allow them to meet legal, medical, relocation, and other administrative commitments, as well as counselling. But with the new expanded policy, employees will now be able to access uncapped paid domestic- and family-violence leave and not have to dip into other leave entitlements.
“Medibank’s commitment to support employees with uncapped paid leave reflects the practical need for people experiencing domestic and family violence to maintain their financial independence,” said Craig Drummond, Medibank’s chief executive officer. “Our employees will now have greater flexibility in managing their work schedule.”
Kylie Bishop, Medibank’s group executive of people and culture, said the decision to offer uncapped leave was because the 10 days of paid leave was in some cases insufficient for the complex situations some of the company’s employees faced.
“Ensuring the safety of yourself and often your children, including the relocating of home and schools, together with the requirement to take time off work for legal assistance and counselling, can take longer than 10 days,” Bishop said. “We want to support our people in every way we can, not burden them with loss of income.”
Medibank also acknowledges that some of its employees may be engaging in violent behaviour, and to help them, the health insurer is offering referral pathways to counselling or other appropriate services, Bishop said.
Libby Lloyd, former chair of the Commonwealth’s National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, and member of the 1800RESPECT National Sector Advisory Group, lauded Medibank’s initiative.
“This reform recognises some women may require quite lengthy and complex legal or other assistance to get themselves and their children out of harmful and dangerous relationships and back on their feet,” Lloyd said. “We need all workplaces to offer safe, respectful, and supportive work environments and this initiative by Medibank marks an important step along that path.”
