Employers urged to help victims of domestic violence, rather than fire them
A seminar on domestic violence this morning heard calls for employers to help victims of domestic violence, rather than fire them for loss of productivity.
The calls were made during a seminar for employers organised by the Commission on Domestic Violence.
The commission is currently running an awareness campaign on domestic violence which is partly financed by the European Social Fund.
The purpose of the seminar was to make employers aware of the effect of domestic violence on employees and how employers could help such victims.
During the seminar, employers were urged to help and protect employees.
Renee Laiviera, who gave a presentation, said only half of victims sought help, and many were financially dependant on their aggressors, especially when they had to leave their jobs, or were dismissed, because of their problems.
It was pointed out to the employers that helping their employees, by offering a sympathetic ear and allowing some flexibility in working time, for example, would in the long run turn out to be cheaper than firing and recruiting and training new staff.
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Paul Borg
Oct 19th 2011, 15:32
One of my employees was a victim of severe home violence and abuse. Her husband went to the extent of showing up at work to abuse her in public. That was his biggest mistake cause he found me all prepared waiting for him with witnesses . This was way back in 97, and since then , she had no more problems. Now she is in her 16th year of employment and I would not even consider getting rid of her. Hell, she knows the business better than I do !!!
FRANS H SAID
Oct 19th 2011, 15:31
A very good approach. I hope that the political parties wake up from their letargy and tackle this problem. A few years ago I cane face to face with a similar situation in which the "girl" used to come to seek solace and safety with my wife. When I wanted to report the cases to the police she was even more terrified as, it seems, her aggressor had a criminal history. When I took courage and faced him, he ran away with the proverbial tail between his legs. But the crux was that she depended on him completely for her living as she had fallen out with her family as her parents were also separated. Finally I managed to persuade her father to take her back with him and she found some work in a hotel. I do not know what happened since then.
Mandy O'Dea
Oct 19th 2011, 15:28
......laughing cynically... most employers don't even tolerate sick leave!
Michael Camileri
Oct 19th 2011, 15:10
Hopefully this will bring Malta to the future :)
Mr Eric Gahn
Oct 19th 2011, 13:51
"Renee Laiviera, who gave a presentation, explained that the Domestic Violence Act does not apply to couples who do not live together or who live together but have no intention to marry."
So if a member of a couple living together but "do not intend to marry" (pogguti bil-malti) is abused by the other party, s/he is not entitled to anything under this new law. Why is this 'half' law being passed as such in 2011.