The Queensland Government’s workplace support package strengthens support for employees affected by domestic and family violence (DFV). It includes a whole-of-government directive, a model policy template for agencies to adopt and customise, DFV-related support options and resources, and workplace partners.
We encourage local government, business, and non-government organisations (NGOs) to adopt this package to suit the needs of their workplace.
Everyone has the right to feel safe and supported in the workplace.
1. Whole-of-government DFV directive
Directive 03/20 – Support for employees affected by domestic and family violence (DFV) details support options available in our workplace:
- a minimum of 10 days paid DFV leave
- flexible work arrangements
- reasonable workplace adjustments
- counselling through employee assistance programs (EAP).
The directive provides Queensland Government public service employees with more favourable entitlements than the minimum safety net entitlements for state and local government employees outlined in the Industrial Relations Act 2016.
Learn more about the directive.
2. Model policy template
We encourage workplaces to implement a DFV policy to support employees affected by DFV.
Download the model policy template.
3. Leadership pledge
We encourage leaders to sign a pledge to show their commitment to ending DFV, and to display in workplaces.
Download the leadership pledge template .
4. Recognise, Respond, Refer e-learning program
Employees can increase their understanding of DFV and how to support affected colleagues by completing the online Recognise, Respond, Refer program developed by Australia’s CEO Challenge in partnership with the Queensland Government. The program offers insight into how to deal with situations related to DFV that may arise in the workplace.
Contact your local human resource team for more information.
5. Support options and resources
Employees
- Find local support for DFV
- Learn how to support affected employees in the workplace
- Read the Queensland Government's response and progress to end DFV
Managers
- Learn how to apply the DFV directive
- Read the Guide for DFV risk and workplace safety planning for employees to help you develop a DFV safety plan for individual employees.
- Download and save the DFV safety plan for individual employees to your device. Then open the form from your device to edit. Alternatively, there is a Word version available.
- Learn how to have conversations with affected employees
- Find out how you can support affected employees during COVID-19
Agencies and workplaces
- Watch the DFV and the workplace video
- Read the Queensland Government’s comprehensive workplace approach to employees who use or may use violence and abuse
- Learn how workplaces can implement comprehensive responses to DFV
- Find out about the whole-of-government capability approach to support long term cultural change in the workplace
- Learn about the Queensland Government’s multi-agency approach to White Ribbon Australia workplace accreditation
- Learn about social procurement (relating to DFV) when buying for Queensland Government
- Read the Queensland Government’s workplace response to DFV (November 2016)
6. Communication toolkit
We encourage agencies to use these workplace resources to raise awareness of DFV prevention and support options for affected employees:
- White Ribbon Australia leadership oath poster
- White Ribbon Australia staff oath poster
- Workplace key messages
- EAP poster Davidson Trahaire Corpsych (DTC)
- EAP poster OPTUM
- screensaver Not Now, Not Ever
- screensaver Recognise, Respond, Refer e-learning program
- Not Now Not Ever campaign – workplaces
