// Ikea, B&Q and Superdrug pledge to help employees facing domestic abuse
// Follows a campaign launched by the Retail Trust and Dunelm
Ikea, B&Q and Superdrug have joined an industry campaign that’s calling on retail employers to join forces in tackling a rise in domestic abuse.
The Retail Industry Against Domestic Abuse (RIADA) initiative was launched by Dunelm and charity Retail Trust earlier this month to raise awareness of how the retail sector can better support employees facing domestic abuse, as calls for help rapidly increase.
It comes after police and domestic abuse helplines reported soaring rates of calls throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, while the Retail Trust is now providing more counselling services for retail workers experiencing domestic abuse than ever before.
More retailers are being urged to join the campaign and download supporting resources, including template policies and guidance for managers and employees, from the Retail Trust’s website.
The campaign asks retail employers to take three key steps:
- Create a domestic abuse policy that will raise awareness among colleagues and make it easier for employees to speak out.
- Educate managers to recognise the signs of abuse and understand how to approach colleague and offer practical support.
- Join the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) which provides free reports and resources to aid employers.
Retail workers can also access counselling, financial aid and referrals to the Domestic Abuse Alliance for specialist legal advice by contacting the Retail Trust’s wellbeing helpline.
“By working together as a collective voice, retail has an unrivalled ability to build hope, health and happiness across the sector and the communities we work in and real power to make a change, both in and outside of the workplace,” Retail Trust chief executive Chris Brook-Carter said.
“That is why we are now urging businesses to join us, Dunelm and the Domestic Abuse Alliance as we launch the retail industry against domestic abuse campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse and the actions employers can take to help colleagues when they most need it.
“From displaying helpline numbers in your staffroom and making sure everyone understands the signs of abuse to arranging an employee’s transfer to another shop branch, we in the industry can all do something to help tackle this terrible issue.
“And by signing up for this campaign, retailers can download a range of resources, including template domestic abuse policies and guides for managers and employees that outline the key signs of abuse and the most appropriate ways to offer help.”
Dunelm wellbeing senior manager Josie Dickinson said: We’ve worked alongside the Retail Trust to create a manager’s guide and policy as a starting point, and are going to be training all our managers on domestic abuse awareness and signposting, too.
“As a member of RIADA, we feel a real sense of responsibility to educate and support our colleagues.”
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