Insights
WorkHaven DFV Insights Report
WorkHaven at Five Years: Continuing Our Commitment to Safer Workplaces. This month, WorkHaven celebrates five years of delivering meaningful and relevant solutions to address domestic and family violence (DFV) and workplace sexual harassment.
The Real Cost of Domestic and Family Violence to Workplaces in Australia
WorkHaven at Five Years: Continuing Our Commitment to Safer Workplaces. This month, WorkHaven celebrates five years of delivering meaningful and relevant solutions to address domestic and family violence (DFV) and workplace sexual harassment.
Practical steps to reduce the impact and incidents of sexual harassment at work
WorkHaven at Five Years: Continuing Our Commitment to Safer Workplaces. This month, WorkHaven celebrates five years of delivering meaningful and relevant solutions to address domestic and family violence (DFV) and workplace sexual harassment.
WorkHaven at Five Years: Continuing Our Commitment to Safer Workplaces
WorkHaven at Five Years: Continuing Our Commitment to Safer Workplaces. This month, WorkHaven celebrates five years of delivering meaningful and relevant solutions to address domestic and family violence (DFV) and workplace sexual harassment.
Why should workplaces provide support for domestic and family violence recovery for employees?
Domestic and family violence (DFV) is rarely an overnight issue. Its impact ripples across a...
Can Your Workplace Afford Not to Take an Effective Approach to Domestic and Family Violence?
Domestic and family violence (DFV) isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a workplace issue. With DFV costing the Australian economy approximately $22 billion each year, employers simply can’t afford to ignore it. Many of us like to think of home and work as two separate worlds—but for those experiencing DFV, the lines blur.
A New Standard for DFV Recovery in Workplaces
Domestic and family violence is a workplace issue. It affects attendance, productivity, safety, and above all—people. But when a disclosure happens, most leaders freeze.“What should I say?” “What’s safe to offer?” “What if I make it worse?”While many workplaces now have DFV policies, few know how to support employees in the recovery phase. That’s the missing link—where the most harm can be prevented, and the most healing can be supported.
This week WorkHaven celebrates our 3rd birthday.
WorkHaven was “born” in mid-2020 at the height of the pandemic. And whilst this might seem like a strange time to launch a business, our services and messaging didn’t appear out of nowhere – they had been planned and researched for the 3 years leading up to the launch.
It is essential to have a tailored approach to DFV awareness or Sexual harassment prevention in the workplace
Tailored domestic and family violence (DFV) and sexual harassment policies and procedures...
How can you create a meaningful approach to DFV in the workplace?
It’s not enough for businesses to simply fulfill their regulatory and compliance obligations. It’s equally important to provide meaningful and practical support for those impacted by DFV. When creating, implementing, or reviewing DFV guidelines, it’s essential to consider various situations and develop support options that are customized to individual needs.
Reflections on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
WorkHaven is built on a foundation of corporate expertise, lived experience and knowledge. In this...
Things I have learnt about DFV and the workplace
Reflections from WorkHaven founder and CEO Jo Mason about the changing culture of workplaces in relation to DFV and sexual harassment
The Changing Landscape of Work in 2023: Why Employees Are Demanding More Connected Employers
In 2023, the expectations of employees when it comes to their workplace are evolving rapidly. Today’s workforce is increasingly seeking employers who prioritize not only the bottom line, but also the well-being and safety of their employees. Employees are being more discerning about where they work, looking for employers who foster a culture of connection and inclusivity. In this blog post, we will explore why employees in the current Australian market are being choosier about where they work.
Moving beyond Domestic and Family Violence with purpose – a personal account of WorkHaven by our CEO, Jo Mason
7 years ago, I knew nothing about Domestic and Family Violence (DFV). In fact, I knew so little about the topic that I didn’t realise I was living in a DFV situation until one brave bystander stepped in, enabled my realisation and supported my pathway out. This courageous act fundamentally changed my life.
Using evidence to create a workplace approach to prevent Domestic and Family Violence
WorkHaven specialises in supporting workplaces to address Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) in a meaningful and effective way.
Supporting employees to recover after Domestic and Family Violence
Supporting employees to recover after Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) is usually an ever-evolving situation involving several stages. These stages may include the start of violence, realisations, crisis, exit, and recovery. An informed and effective approach to DFV needs to provide support during all of them. During this article, we are going to talk about recovery and rebuilding.
DFV Leadership – Brett Bassett
Brett Bassett MBA, BEd, GAICD, FGIA, CFE has been the QBCC Commissioner since May 2016. Prior to commencing at the QBCC, he was the Queensland Regional Commissioner for the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). He developed and implemented ASIC’s small business strategy with a specific focus on education, engagement and regulation of the building and construction industry and chaired the inaugural Federal Government Building and Construction roundtable that now occurs annually. Domestic and Family Violence Leadership – Brett Bassett
DFV Leadership – Melissa Williams
Melissa Williams is the General Manager of People, Culture and Safety at SEQWater. She is a strategic HR leader with a successful track record of introducing effective approaches to domestic and family violence to a range of large organisations. Melissa has a genuine passion for the stand against DFV, and we were very happy to gain her insights and advice in relation to DFV and the workplace.
DFV leadership – Kersten Gentle
Kersten Gentle is the Executive Officer of the Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association (FTMA). She is an industry expert with 30 years experience in the forest and wood products industry. She is also a champion of gender equality and the stand against domestic and family violence. We spoke to Kersten to get her thoughts on the workplace and domestic and family violence (DFV).
DFV leadership – Sonia McDonald
Throughout our work, we speak to many leaders and experts who provide terrific insights and...
One size doesn’t fit all – building an meaningful approach to domestic and family violence in the workplace
Domestic and family violence (DFV) is a very complex topic and each situation is different -...
We can all play a part in the stand against domestic and family violence
Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) is a critical issue in Australia. 1 in 4 women are impacted by DFV within their lifetime and an average of one woman per week loses their life as the result of domestic abuse. We can all play a part in the stand against domestic and family violence.
How committed is your organisation to the stand against domestic violence?
Organisations to take a stand against domestic violence. When it comes to taking a stand against domestic and family violence, some organisations are more committed than others. This video explains the difference in approach. How does your organisation rate
Understanding domestic violence and how you can take a stand
Understanding domestic violence and how you can take a stand. Understanding domestic violence is a key to addressing the problem. Here’s a video we created to explain domestic violence and how workplaces can take a stand. If you’d like more information, please email to hello@workhaven.com.au or visit our services page
Workplace support is crucial – domestic and family violence
Effective and relevant workplace support is vital in the stand against domestic and family...
Rebuilding friendships after domestic violence
A common element of domestic violence is social isolation - the perpetrator cuts the victim off...
Rebuilding your finances after domestic violence
I have always been careful with money to ensure I can afford the things I want in life. Before I...
Rebuilding your confidence after domestic violence
Rebuilding your confidence after domestic violence. The ripples of domestic violence are complex. Victims often experience impacts across all facets of their lives. These can include eroded confidence, family breakdown, social isolation, financial setbacks and career disruption. As a result of this complexity, the road from victim to survivor takes time as each element of your life needs to be rebuilt.
There’s more to a safe workplace than most people think
There’s more to a safe workplace than most people think. In Australia, going to work and feeling safe are things we take for granted. There have been many media campaigns promoting a workplace health and safety to ensure that people leave work in the same state as they arrived, as well as professions and programs dedicated to this cause. It is also commonplace for organisations to roll out Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) to provide employees with free counselling for work or personal issues that may arise.
My story of workplace recovery after DV
My story of workplace recovery after DV. Having experienced the juggle of holding down a career whilst experiencing domestic violence (DV), I can wholeheartedly say that it is a very difficult, if not impossible situation to navigate through. I was a Marketing Director in the construction industry when I was going through DV. My job was very demanding – I worked long hours, managed a big team and faced an array of daily challenges. On the flip side, I earned a good income and enjoyed the privileges of an executive position.
Shining a light for positive change
There’s no doubt about it, over the last few years we have come a long way to create a broader awareness of domestic and family violence (DFV). With coverage in the media, government initiatives and community activities, many people understand the impact of DFV and its prevalence within society. Shining a light for positive change.
The things I learnt through living with domestic violence
The things I learnt through living with domestic violence. I lived in a domestic and family violence (DFV) situation for five years. That period was probably the toughest of my life. Whilst I would never want to repeat this chapter, I am grateful for the insights I received through this experience, and the opportunity to share them with others. Here are the things I learnt;
Creating a supportive workplace to address domestic violence
There’s no doubt about it – domestic and family violence (DFV) is a complex and sensitive topic and needs to be managed carefully by people who truly understand the topic. This is why creating a supportive workplace to address domestic violence is important.
Moving on from DFV and my advice to others
Moving on from domestic and family violence and my advice to others. I was 37 years old and kicking goals left, right and centre. A senior marketing professional with a seasoned career, a beautiful home, overseas holidays, a terrific circle of friends and a world of opportunities ahead of me. Things seemed to get even better when I met and fell in love with the man of my dreams. On the surface he ticked every box – handsome, charming, great job, he made me laugh and he wanted to be a part of my world.
Why workplaces need to take a stand against domestic violence
Why workplaces need to take a stand against domestic violence. Recent research shows that between one in three and one in four women encounters domestic violence (DV) in their lives. The Australian culture and the media imply that this tragic trend is limited to low socio-economic groups and the unemployed. But this isn’t a reflection of the truth.