Councillors urged to help end violence at work

UNISON has written to every elected councillor in the UK asking them to make the union’s End Violence at Work Charter a central part of their commissioning process

The UK’s largest union is asking that councils refuse to grant service and partnership contracts to organisations that won’t sign up to the 10 point plan to protect members at work.

The campaign, which already has 35 charities and housing associations signed up, is gaining momentum and UNISON hopes that a new focus on council commissioning will encourage more community employers to take violence against their staff more seriously.

The Charter is a list of 10 basic actions that third sector employers can take immediately to improve safety at work, including appropriate training, support for the victims of violence and proper monitoring of incidents.

It was launched in response to notably high levels of violence at work being reported from UNISON members working in the community sector.

Organisations already signed up include Dimensions, Royal National Institute for the Blind, Creative Support, Apex Housing Association, Capability Scotland and Tai Calon Community Housing.

Download the End Violence at Work charter

Campaign to end violence at work