Domestic and family violence (DFV) can impact a person’s safety, wellbeing, attendance, and performance at work.
As Queensland’s largest employer, we contribute towards ending DFV by:
- preventing violence
- supporting affected employees
- building a culture of respect and gender equity.
We developed a DFV workplace package to strengthen support for affected employees. It also contributes to the workforce-related actions in:
- Not Now, Not Ever taskforce report
- Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2016–2026 and Action Plans
- Queensland Violence against Women Prevention Plan 2016–22
- Gender Equity Strategy 2015–2020
- Inclusion and Diversity Strategy 2015–2020
- Positive and healthy workplace cultures
We encourage local government, business, and non-government organisations (NGOs) to adopt the package to suit the needs of their workplace. Everyone has the right to feel safe and supported in the workplace.
Table of Contents
1. Workplace package
Whole-of-government DFV directive
Directive 04/15 – Support for employees affected by domestic and family violence details support options available in our workplace:
- a minimum of 10 days paid DFV leave
- flexible work arrangements
- reasonable workplace adjustments
- counselling through our employee assistance programs (EAP).
The directive provides Queensland Government 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 how to apply the directive.
Model policy template
We encourage workplaces to implement a DFV policy to support employees affected by DFV.
Download the model policy template.
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 .
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.
Support options and resources
Employees
- Learn more about DFV
- Learn how to support employees affected by domestic and family violence in the workplace
- Find out about our whole-of-government domestic and family violence resources
Managers
- How to apply the DFV directive
- How to conduct a DFV risk assessment and develop a workplace safety plan
- Learn how to have conversations with employees affected by domestic and family violence
Agencies and workplaces
- Watch the domestic and family violence and the workplace video
- Learn more about a comprehensive workplace approach to employees who use or may use violence and abuse
- How workplaces can implement comprehensive responses to DFV
- Learn more about organisational best practice and innovation
- Find out about our multi-agency approach to White Ribbon Australia Workplace Accreditation
- Learn more about social procurement (relating to DFV) when buying for Queensland Government
- Learn about the Queensland Government's workplace response (November 2016)
Communication toolkit
These resources 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
2. Workplace package flagship evaluation
The Queensland Government is committed to putting an end to domestic and family violence, and providing a safe and respectful working environment for all employees.
An independent flagship evaluation has been undertaken of the Queensland Government’s workplace response to domestic and family violence. The evaluation aimed to understand implementation progress across the Queensland public sector against the workplace-related commitments of the Not Now, Not Ever taskforce report, the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2016–2026, and the broader domestic and family violence reform agenda.
Since the flagship evaluation report was completed, the Queensland Government has announced its policy position that domestic and family violence leave can only be accessed by perpetrators of violence under very limited circumstances i.e.
- where it has been demonstrated by evidence that the employee is attending a recognised and authorised program
- when all other available leave has been exhausted.
The Public Service Commission is formally reviewing Directive 4/15 Support for employees affected by domestic and family violence, to ensure alignment with this policy. An updated directive will be re-issued early in 2019, following consultation with agencies and unions.
- Download the Queensland Government's workplace response to domestic and family violence flagship evaluation report
- Learn about the Queensland Government's workplace response and next steps to address domestic and family violence (December 2018)
