Promotion At Ethical Awards Ceremony May 2011

Ethical Awards Ceremony Independent Guest, Chocolate Promotion

Domestic Violence Can Happen to Anyone

Live much happier NOW, allow yourself to grow

What is the Ethical Awards Ceremony? Presumably, a ceremony of awards for ethical business best practice on a UK and International scale to businesses whom are friends of the earth in terms of carbon reduction (CR), health, nature and sustainability in difficult economic times. How? Have you ever wondered how much thought goes in to goods and services that factor in causing the least damage to the earth? Yes there are businesses that do pay attention to a human and ethical demand that needs to be taken seriously.

Well I found out about the awards not so long ago and thought I would make my way down there to the awards dinner, for an additional  reason I may add and was very happy to find a warm welcome from other organisations both regionally and internationally, engaged in campaigns against domestic violence, including domestic violence that involves risks to animals.

However, I was just wondering how many businesses have a domestic violence policy, for domestic violence in the workplace and/or at home. That’s right, because it does happen and is happening, isn’t it. There was no room for a negative slant on businesses that are doing well on the agenda. Objectively, that what is being suggested, is to do even better business, by factoring in the wellbeing of employees to include a domestic violence policy if one doesn’t exist.

My purpose of attending the Ethical Awards Ceremony was to bring about an awareness of just that. How does an employer deal with absenteeism due to domestic violence? How will they know that the reason for the absenteeism is because of a domestic or even domestic violence, which could include emotional, verbal, financial, psychological and other types of serious levels of abuse which all fall into this category?

More importantly what does this have to do with ethical business? Well, in my view everything. Domestic violence claims lives every year. What does an employer do if they know that their employee is going through domestic violence, terminate the employment or provide an ethical best practice approach of support with a Domestic Violence Specialist?

All too often victims of domestic violence fear the outcomes of what would happen if they let their employers know that they are experiencing domestic violence, a problem which can all too often trigger wellbeing and mental health issues. I am wondering whether anyone has considered the fear of a victim wondering whether seeking help could cost them their job and livelihood and that of their children, if they have a family and may therefore choose to suffer in silence and possibly still end up losing their job because their employer does not fully understand the plight of the employee and their need for professional guidance or assistance.

Domestic violence is more than what some may think of as physical abuse, it is a wider set of unhealthy behaviours towards a person and an abuse of Human Rights done by a family member or a relative or usually a person in an intimate relationship with the victim, and it can be done by more than one person. Usually the overriding forces are 'power and control' of an individual for varying and different reasons that are both personal and may sometimes involve some type of personal gain. Whatever the reasons, the behaviours often fall into the category of committing a criminal offence.

So how can employers help, and work towards or implement ethical business best practice that fosters the survival of the human race here? Include a domestic violence policy that works, that supports employees who might be experience domestic violence or the after effects of it, or even PTSD. Have a clear protocol when approaching employees about their absenteeism that includes one for employees who may be experiencing domestic violence.

More importantly have a specialist agency that can help such an employee to know what help is out there to help resolve their problem, how to get help and to be safe and how to engage in a wellness recovery program to foster a healthy work-life balance. Children also deserve to have healthy family lives don’t they, so by helping your employees you are helping families and your own business, reducing public spending, creating safer communities and sustaining much happier employees, and of course making more money with less absenteeism! It all makes sense doesn’t it.

If you are an employer or employee who may know someone who has this problem, even if it could be you, do ring me if you think that choosing to be happier makes sense.

Jennifer at the Ethical Corporation, 10th Annual Responsible Business Summit UK 2011,

Ethical Awards Pre-drinks and Dinner May 2011

The Editor




Tel: 0208 868 7287

Mobile 07900 201 241

www.jenniferhoopercounsellor.co.uk

Links

Ethical Corporation Awards 2011
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/awards/
Photos donated by Shirley Kanto Shani - Social Strategy for Business  
http://shirleykantor.blogspot.com/

CUA - Brisbane - Pets in Crisis Community Support
http://www.cua.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/website/home/sitetools/aboutcua/

Veronica Koppelman, Country Manager, Chocol-Ads Ltd
http://www.chocol-ads.com/
Why not let your customers indulge on a chocolate whilst advertising your business?  Marketing your product could never be sweeter .......melt in the mouth chocolate marketing.