Despite the additional pressures and constraints imposed by the COVID pandemic, both Tower and the Guardians of NZ Superannuation (the manager of the NZ Super Fund), are today being awarded the DVFREE Tick. This is a demonstration of these organisations’ commitment to employee wellbeing, health and safety, to provide the best possible support for their people who are impacted by family violence.
Tower CEO Blair Turnbull says, “Tower are proud to receive the DVFREE Tick as part of our on-going partnership with Shine. We want to ensure that any member of our team affected by domestic violence gets the support that they need, and that we are doing our part to end domestic violence.
“We’re also committed to extending that support to our eight Pacific offices by providing access to Shine-trained ‘First Responders’ to our international staff, extending 10 days of Paid Domestic Violence Leave to our Pacific teams, and by raising awareness of the impact of domestic violence in all areas of our business.”
The Guardians of NZ Superannuation CEO Matt Whineray says, “At the Guardians we recognise that family violence has a serious and far-reaching impact on those affected, their children, whānau and the wider community. It is our responsibility to do what is within our power, as an organisation, to stop family violence, keep our people safe, prevent future family violence from occurring and be a part of the nationwide solution.
We are proud to be partnering with Shine. Over the last year, our HR team has been working with Shine to ensure the right policies, training and support channels are in place so that all employees have a safe and supportive space at work. The DVFREE Tick is a small symbol that says something huge: We’re here and we care.
We believe these steps help us actively contribute to the creation of a culture of support, ensuring that family violence is not tolerated or excused and the appropriate support is given to our people.
Next March, the Guardians will also join Shine’s Light it Orange week to stand up against family violence in New Zealand and make sure our employees know there is a helping hand at work if they ever should need it.”