BUSINESSES should be helping employees who are victims of domestic abuse. Such problems would be tackled under its dignity at work policy, said Rob Hutchinson, director of human resources for accountancy firm KPMG in Guernsey.

That ensures respect and support for individuals and promises a safe workplace.

The company is supporting calls for a high-profile international conference in Guernsey in October highlighting the impact of abuse on society and business.

Although smaller than and independent of its UK counterpart, the local firm has been quick to adopt some similar best practice approaches.

It believes that encouraging dialogue between staff and managers will help raise at an early stage any problems that could ultimately affect an employee’s well-being and productivity.

With just 106 members of staff, it can remain relatively close to each.

‘Things like domestic violence, for example, would tend to get noticed quite quickly,’ said Mr Hutchinson.

‘For example, it’s unusual for someone to come in to work with a black eye. So physical things are often easy to spot.’

But in abuse cases where signs are not so clear, many individuals will tend to suffer in silence.

‘That is why we encourage discussion. One of the roles of being a manager is being able to help staff. They can ensure employees get expert support and advice.’

Making this help more accessible also breaks down taboos, he said. ‘It’s important to make problems easier to talk about, whether it be work-related or personal. We would want to act on a problem as soon as possible, rather than six months down the line.’

KPMG also offers free and confidential third-party counselling for those who cannot approach their boss.

The contact number is on the staff website. Experts can advise on a variety of problems, including domestic violence. The company pays for the sessions, but is not told who has used it.

‘We would prefer them to talk to us,’ said Mr Hutchinson. ‘But we also understand it is not always that simple.’

His message to other island companies is to make staff domestic abuse problems their business too.

‘I can see that some companies don’t think it’s their place to interfere. But if we can offer support to help staff overcome a problem, then that will benefit both the individual and the firm.’

The company has already pledged backing for the conference, which would attract delegates from throughout the country.

It is a move for which local campaigners have been working hard as part of the Raising the Standards project, an anti-domestic abuse forum supported by Guernsey’s statutory and voluntary sectors.

The event, previously staged

in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast, is being backed by the Bailiff, Geoffrey Rowland, who is appealing for local firms to recognise its value and help meet the costs.

‘We are delighted the conference is coming to Guernsey and are supporting it absolutely,’ said Mr Hutchinson.

‘Other companies should be getting behind it because this is a business issue.

‘All companies should have policies in place.’