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Small Business, Big Impact

Ep8: Keeping your workplace safe

Season 1, Ep. 8

Half of all people experiencing violence say their violent partner interferes with work - in some cases, even coming to the workplace. Inspector Mel Dwyer, manager of the Queensland Police Service’s Domestic Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit, talks about how to protect your employees and workplace. 


Resources for Small Business:




Host: Gretel Killeen

Guest: Inspector Mel Dwyer, manager of the Queensland Police Service’s Domestic Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit

Additional Voiceover: Bryce Corbett

Written By: Amanda Bower, Karen Prestidge, Gretel Killeen

Audio Producer: Carter Quinn

Project Lead: Shane Kruger

Project Producer: Squiz Media


This is a Lifeline Australia podcast for the Australian Government.  

© Lifeline Australia 2023

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  • Trailer: Calling Small Business Owners...

    01:08||Season 1, Ep. 0
    Small Business, Big Impact is a podcast for small businesses about how to support employees experiencing family and domestic violence. Starting on August 1st, all employees in Australia can apply for up to ten days of paid domestic or family violence leave, each year, from their employer. Given that 1 in 4 Australian women and 1 in 14 men experience domestic violence, it is likely that someone in your business is affected. Across 10 short episodes, we'll guide you on your responsibilities and help you recognise the red flags.Small Business, Big Impact is brought to you by Lifeline and the Australian Government. Coming August 1st.
  • 1. Ep1: What is family & domestic violence?

    12:19||Season 1, Ep. 1
    In Australia, one in 4 women, and one in 14 men, has experienced domestic violence – so it’s likely you are working alongside someone who has experienced it. Gretel Killeen speaks with Catherine Fitzpatrick, the business representative on the advisory group of the Australian Government's National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032, to learn more about different forms of family and domestic violence. Resources for Small Business:1800RESPECT www.1800respect.org.au 1800 737 732Lifeline Australia 13 11 14Men’s Referral Service https://ntv.org.au/mrs/ 1300 766 491Employer guide to family and domestic violence (Fair Work Ombudsman) https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/family-and-domestic-violence-leave/employer-guide-to-family-and-domestic-violence1800RESPECT’s explainer on the different kinds of domestic and family violence https://www.1800respect.org.au/violence-and-abuse/domestic-and-family-violenceeSafety Commissioner https://www.esafety.gov.au/womenNational Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022­–2032 https://www.dss.gov.au/ending-violenceAustralian Government Small Business Paid FDV Leave site https://smallbusiness.10dayspaidfdvleave.com.au/Host: Gretel KilleenGuest: Catherine Fitzpatrick, small business owner and the business representative on the advisory group to the government’s National Plan to End Violence against Women and their ChildrenAdditional Voiceover: Bryce CorbettWritten By: Amanda Bower, Karen Prestidge, Gretel KilleenAudio Producer: Carter QuinnProject Lead: Shane KrugerProject Producer: Squiz MediaThis is a Lifeline Australia podcast for the Australian Government.  © Lifeline Australia 2023
  • 2. Ep2: Warning Signs

    11:53||Season 1, Ep. 2
    Is your employee pulling back from social functions? Taking photos of themselves at work? Gretel Killeen speaks to Mark Richards, a community trainer on domestic violence, to learn about some of the warning signs of family and domestic violence that employers can look for in the workplace. Resources for Small Business:1800RESPECT www.1800respect.org.au 1800 737 732Lifeline Australia 13 11 14Men’s Referral Service https://ntv.org.au/mrs/ 1300 766 491Employer guide to family and domestic violence (Fair Work Ombudsman) https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/family-and-domestic-violence-leave/employer-guide-to-family-and-domestic-violenceBe There app https://bethereapp.com.au/ https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-domestic-abuse-signs#1-4  Signs of domestic violence https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-domestic-abuse-signs#1-4 eSafety Commissioner www.esafety.gov.au/women Australian Government Small Business Paid FDV Leave site https://smallbusiness.10dayspaidfdvleave.com.au/Host: Gretel KilleenGuest: Mark Richards, community trainer on family and domestic violenceAdditional Voiceover: Bryce CorbettWritten By: Amanda Bower, Karen Prestidge, Gretel KilleenAudio Producer: Carter QuinnProject Lead: Shane KrugerProject Producer: Squiz MediaThis is a Lifeline Australia podcast for the Australian Government.  © Lifeline Australia 2023
  • 3. Ep3: How to have a difficult conversation

    11:10||Season 1, Ep. 3
    Gretel Killeen speaks with Ingrid Macartney, director of the Immigrant Women’s Support Service, to learn how to have a calm, open-ended conversation with an employee you think may be experiencing violence. Resources for Small Business:1800RESPECT www.1800respect.org.au 1800 737 732Lifeline Australia 13 11 14Men’s Referral Service https://ntv.org.au/mrs/ 1300 766 491Employer guide to family and domestic violence (Fair Work Ombudsman) https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/family-and-domestic-violence-leave/employer-guide-to-family-and-domestic-violenceHow to have difficult conversations (Fair Work Ombudsman) https://www.fairwork.gov.au/sites/default/files/minisite/static/fce92863-dc42-4367-ac38-bbfbf8dd7fbe/difficult-conversations-manager/index.html# https://media-cdn.ourwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/02/15002441/PG_Responding-to-disclosures_UpdatedFeb2019.pdf Responding to disclosures https://media-cdn.ourwatch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/02/15002441/PG_Responding-to-disclosures_UpdatedFeb2019.pdf eSafety Commissioner www.esafety.gov.au Australian Government Small Business Paid FDV Leave site https://smallbusiness.10dayspaidfdvleave.com.au/Host: Gretel KilleenGuest: Ingrid Macartney, director of the Immigrant Women’s Support ServiceAdditional Voiceover: Bryce CorbettWritten By: Amanda Bower, Karen Prestidge, Gretel KilleenAudio Producer: Carter QuinnProject Lead: Shane KrugerProject Producer: Squiz MediaThis is a Lifeline Australia podcast for the Australian Government.  © Lifeline Australia 2023
  • 4. Ep4: Supporting - not solving - is the key

    10:51||Season 1, Ep. 4
    A small business owner explains why employers should not feel that they have to solve their employee’s domestic violence situation. The most important thing is to believe them, and give them the support they ask for. Resources for Small Business:1800RESPECT www.1800respect.org.au 1800 737 732Lifeline Australia 13 11 14Men’s Referral Service https://ntv.org.au/mrs/ 1300 766 491Employer guide to family and domestic violence (Fair Work Ombudsman) https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/family-and-domestic-violence-leave/employer-guide-to-family-and-domestic-violenceLifeline’s Peer Support training https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-involved/workplace-and-community-training/landing-page-peer-support-training/ Work and mental health https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/workeSafety Commissioner www.esafety.gov.au/women Australian Government Small Business Paid FDV Leave site https://smallbusiness.10dayspaidfdvleave.com.au/Host: Gretel KilleenGuest: Sandy Chong, CEO of the Australian Hairdressing Council Additional Voiceover: Bryce CorbettWritten By: Amanda Bower, Karen Prestidge, Gretel KilleenAudio Producer: Carter QuinnProject Lead: Shane KrugerProject Producer: Squiz MediaThis is a Lifeline Australia podcast for the Australian Government.  © Lifeline Australia 2023
  • 5. Ep5: The importance of work to people experiencing violence.

    10:33||Season 1, Ep. 5
    Many small businesses are like a family. And if someone in your actual family is violent and unpredictable, your workplace takes on even more importance in your life. Gretel Killeen speaks with Karen Prestidge – an expert who has spent decades training first responders on how to deal with domestic violence situations – and learns that domestic violence can affect anyone, in any type of workplace.  Resources for Small Business:1800RESPECT www.1800respect.org.au 1800 737 732Lifeline Australia 13 11 14Men’s Referral Service https://ntv.org.au/mrs/ 1300 766 491Employer guide to family and domestic violence (Fair Work Ombudsman) https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/family-and-domestic-violence-leave/employer-guide-to-family-and-domestic-violenceLinkedIn post on how employers can create safe spaces for victims of domestic violence https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-employers-can-create-safe-spaces-victims-domestic-jen-schwarz?trk=public_post eSafety Commissioner www.esafety.gov.au/womenAustralian Government Small Business Paid FDV Leave site https://smallbusiness.10dayspaidfdvleave.com.au/Host: Gretel KilleenGuest: Karen Prestidge, domestic violence expert and trainerAdditional Voiceover: Bryce CorbettWritten By: Amanda Bower, Karen Prestidge, Gretel KilleenAudio Producer: Carter QuinnProject Lead: Shane KrugerProject Producer: Squiz MediaThis is a Lifeline Australia podcast for the Australian Government.  © Lifeline Australia 2023
  • 6. Ep6: Why your employee needs leave

    13:17||Season 1, Ep. 6
    People experiencing domestic violence may need to go to court; hospital; find housing; set up a new bank account; get counselling; and a multitude of other things that mostly happen during work hours. Gretel Killeen speaks with Padma Raman, CEO of Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety, about why paid family and domestic leave is important. Resources for Small Business:1800RESPECT www.1800respect.org.au 1800 737 7321800RESPECT’s service directory https://1800respect.org.au/services Lifeline Australia 13 11 14Men’s Referral Service https://ntv.org.au/mrs/ 1300 766 491Employer guide to family and domestic violence (Fair Work Ombudsman) https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/family-and-domestic-violence-leave/employer-guide-to-family-and-domestic-violenceFair Work Ombudsman guide to pay slips and wages https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay-and-wages/paying-wages/pay-slips#paid-family-and-domestic-violence-leave eSafety Commissioner www.esafety.gov.au Australian Government Small Business Paid FDV Leave site https://smallbusiness.10dayspaidfdvleave.com.au/Host: Gretel KilleenGuest: Padma Raman, CEO of Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's SafetyAdditional Voiceover: Bryce CorbettWritten By: Amanda Bower, Karen Prestidge, Gretel KilleenAudio Producer: Carter QuinnProject Lead: Shane KrugerProject Producer: Squiz MediaThis is a Lifeline Australia podcast for the Australian Government.  © Lifeline Australia 2023
  • 7. Ep7: The impact of family and domestic violence on business

    11:57||Season 1, Ep. 7
    The financial impact of violence against women and their children on Australian production and the business sector is $1.9 billion a year. Catherine Fitzpatrick, business representative on the advisory group of the government's National Plan to End Violence Against Women and their Children, takes Gretel Killeen through the impact that domestic violence can have on your workplace.Resources for Small Business:1800RESPECT www.1800respect.org.au 1800 737 732Lifeline Australia 13 11 14Men’s Referral Service https://ntv.org.au/mrs/ 1300 766 491Employer guide to family and domestic violence (Fair Work Ombudsman) https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/family-and-domestic-violence-leave/employer-guide-to-family-and-domestic-violenceExamining the impact of domestic and family violence across Australian workplaces https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/3063413/Executive-Summary-FINAL.pdf KPMG: The cost of violence against women and children in Australia https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/08_2016/the_cost_of_violence_against_women_and_their_children_in_australia_-_summary_report_may_2016.pdf eSafety Commissioner www.esafety.gov.au/women Australian Government Small Business Paid FDV Leave site https://smallbusiness.10dayspaidfdvleave.com.au/Host: Gretel KilleenGuest: Catherine Fitzpatrick, business representative on the advisory group of the government's National Plan to End Violence Against Women and their ChildrenAdditional Voiceover: Bryce CorbettWritten By: Amanda Bower, Karen Prestidge, Gretel KilleenAudio Producer: Carter QuinnProject Lead: Shane KrugerProject Producer: Squiz MediaThis is a Lifeline Australia podcast for the Australian Government.  © Lifeline Australia 2023