Queensland Rail has again successfully achieved White Ribbon Australia Workplace Accreditation, reinforcing its commitment to create a workplace where employees feel safe, respected and supported.
Queensland Rail chief executive officer Kat Stapleton said the program, facilitated by Communicare, involves a whole of organisation commitment to address issues of gendered violence and sexual harassment against women, including specialised training for Queensland Rail’s leaders.
“I’m thrilled that Queensland Rail has been reaccredited as a White Ribbon Workplace. It’s a great honour and we want to play our part in responding to and ending domestic and family violence – both in our workplace and the communities we connect,” she said.
“Supporting our people – including caring for those affected by domestic and family violence (DFV) is a big part of making Queensland Rail ‘the place to be.’
“Our hearts go out to anyone affected by DFV. At Queensland Rail, we believe any violence inside or outside of our workplace is unacceptable and should not be tolerated.
“We have committed to the White Ribbon Australia accreditation process because we want to continue to equip our people with the knowledge and resources to better understand what gendered violence is, how to identify it and what they can do to prevent it.
“Whether in the workplace, or the broader community, we all have a responsibility to stand up and speak out against behaviours that contribute to gendered violence, support women and families affected by it, and hold perpetrators accountable.”
To achieve accreditation, organisations must meet 15 criteria under three standards – leadership, prevention and response – to create a safer and more respectful workplace, which is taking active steps to stop violence against women.
White Ribbon Australia National Director Allan Ball congratulated Queensland Rail for joining the more than 150 Australian workplaces to have achieved accreditation.
“Violence against women impacts on the health and safety of employees, their wellbeing and their productivity,” he said.
“We urge all Australian workplaces to take the lead of Queensland Rail and demonstrate a culture of zero tolerance of violence against women.”
White Ribbon Australia is part of a global social movement working to eliminate gendered violence, striving for an Australian society where all women and children are safe, including in our workplaces.