• Swindon & Wiltshire Governance
• Thursday June 20 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Zurich’s domestic abuse policy recognised with national business award

Swindon-based insurance firm Zurich has won an award for its domestic abuse policy, which was developed in conjunction with Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service.

The firm won Outstanding Initiative of Support at Cover Magazine’s Women in Protection and Health Awards.

Cover Magazine is the professional magazine for the insurance industry and its Women in Protection and Health Awards recognise the leading lights driving industry diversity and improving access to insurance for women and their families.

During the development of their award-winning domestic abuse policy, SDASS provided Zurich with expert advice and guidance to ensure that the needs of employees who may be experiencing domestic abuse are met and that as an employer they are doing all they can to help victims access help.

Zurich’s policy recognises that as more employees work remotely, that signs of abuse can be harder to spot. In response to this, awareness sessions and bespoke training have been delivered by SDASS for Zurich’s staff to help them recognise the signs of abuse and empower them to be able to support and signpost colleagues to where they can receive help.

The policy also supports employees who may be the perpetrators of domestic abuse, as well as recognising the financial barriers to escaping abuse.

Kate Rowland (pictured), training and business development manager at SDASS, said: “This is a great acknowledgement of the time and effort that Zurich has put into their policy to support their employees, as well as their commitment to making sure it covers all aspects of the issues and barriers that those experiencing domestic abuse may be facing.

“It’s wonderful to know that Zurich’s 4,500 employees across the UK have the right support in place to help them escape domestic abuse – and that’s the same whether they’re female or male, and if they’re in a mixed-sex or same-sex relationship.

“Those experiencing domestic abuse can find it bewildering to know where to turn to find the help and support they need to escape. With one in five people experiencing domestic abuse in their lifetime, we hope to use our work with employers, both through training and policy advice, to reach as many people as possible so that they know what to do, where to find help and that there is a way to stop domestic abuse.”