- Conference
- 2021 National Young Members' Conference
- Date
- 26 November 2021
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that Domestic Abuse is a workplace issue – with 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men reporting domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime.
Conference notes domestic abuse is estimated to cost workplaces national £1.9 billion per year.
Conference notes that domestic abuse can have a highly negative impact on a workplace, with 9 out of 10 workers who experienced abuse reporting it had a detrimental impact on their performance at work.
Conference notes almost half of workers reporting abuse have had to take time off and 47% of employees reporting abuse state that they have been stalked or abused in the workplace.
Conference notes a sharp increase in reported cases of domestic abuse since the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic, with Women’s Aid stating that 67.4% of abuse victims have reported that their situation has got worse since the pandemic.
Conference notes Office for National Statistics data that shows the prevalence of domestic abuse is highest among women aged 16-24.
Conference notes Scottish Crime statistics released in August 2021 showed a 10% increase in Domestic Abuse reports from August 2020.
Conference notes that homeworking is now a much bigger part of working life, that home and the workplace cannot be as easily separated in domestic abuse situations and given that going to work might well be the only opportunity that those suffering domestic abuse have to get away from their abuser, it’s a significant factor to consider when negotiating home working polices.
Conference notes that the new Domestic Abuse Act passed in April 2021, recognises that employers have a duty of care towards those suffering domestic abuse and trade unions can play an important role in ensuring this duty of care is upheld.
Conference notes that statutory guidance in support of the Domestic Abuse Act was published on Oct 19th – after the deadline for motions to this conference – which recommends that employers should develop policies that set out their approach to domestic abuse.
Conference notes that the unions work is not done, and young members can play a role in campaigning around the issue and in helping to develop these workplace policies.
Therefore, Conference asks that:
1. The National Young Members Forum (NYMF) campaigns to raise awareness nationally of the new Domestic Abuse Act, the statutory guidance for workplaces, and the help available to young people in the workplace
2. The NYMF calls on the NEC to encourage branches to actively engage employers in ensuring domestic abuse policies are fit for purpose and follow the new statutory guidance
3. The NYMF calls on the NEC to encourage branches to educate their officers and stewards on domestic violence and abuse and how they can use the polices to help members
4. The NYMF calls on the NEC to ensure branches are factoring domestic violence and abuse when negotiating new home working policies