EMCOR UK has signed up to The Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant (EDAC) initiative, which supports women affected by abuse to enter or re-enter the workplace.
Adopting a partnership approach, EDAC works with a network of women’s services across the United Kingdom to ensure their clients have access to a broad range of support services and skills.
At the heart of this initiative is support for women seeking to gain employment and develop their skills. Domestic Abuse can have a long term economic impact on victims/survivors who are offered dedicated support from independent domestic violence advisors (IDVA) to empower them on their employability journey.
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The UK government defines domestic abuse as ‘any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional.’
According to Victim Support, an independent charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales, domestic abuse can also take the form of digital (online) abuse, so-called ‘honour-based’ violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).
EDAC’s Signatory Partners are established businesses from a broad range of sectors that commit at the national or global levels to bring attention to the instrumental work of the covenant and the UK Government’s commitment to address Domestic Abuse, which is enshrined in The Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
Businesses identify workplace opportunities for victims/survivors, and provide support such as development of employability skills, access to job opportunities, mentoring schemes, sector specific courses, internships, work experience and apprenticeships.
Roy Ramrutton, Head of Social Value for EMCOR UK, says: “We are proud to sign up to this Covenant and to provide those affected by domestic abuse with the support they need to access sustainable employment opportunities.
As well as providing employment opportunities for survivors of domestic abuse, it is imperative that we raise awareness of the issue and train our colleagues to recognise the signs
“We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where those affected by domestic abuse can thrive and feel safe which supports our vision to create a better world at work.
“As well as providing employment opportunities for survivors of domestic abuse, it is imperative that we raise awareness of the issue and train our colleagues to recognise the signs and provide the relevant support for those who are affected.”
Polly Harrar from The Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant, adds: “We are delighted to welcome EMCOR UK onboard as a valued member of EDAC and we look forward to working together to harness real and meaningful cultural change, create inclusive and positive opportunities and to develop long-term, sustainable solutions for victims and survivors of abuse.
“Now more than ever, it is imperative that businesses address domestic abuse, which can have a long-term and economic impact on survivors.”
EMCOR UK has pledged to raise awareness of domestic abuse by engaging in meaningful dialogue; creating inclusive workplace opportunities for women affected by domestic abuse by providing access to its job vacancies via the EDAC website; enhancing recruitment practices as an inclusive employer of choice; acting as a champion to break the taboos surrounding victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sharing our EDAC experiences to encourage other organisations to get involved.
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