Today we celebrate the five year anniversary of the first publication of Sharon’s Policy, a free template domestic abuse policy available to all UK employers. Sharon’s Policy was created in response to the realisation that work can be a vital safe space and a critical gateway to support. It was created by EIDA Ambassador, Sharon Livermore MBE, in collaboration with EIDA, the Domestic Abuse Alliance, and HR Dept.
Sharon’s Policy is one of EIDA’s most popular resources. It undergoes a yearly legal review and is accompanied by guidance notes to help workplaces adapt it to their own organisations. Having a policy or written guidance is the cornerstone of an effective workplace response to domestic abuse. It provides clarity and consistency across the organisation, both for managers and HR who are responsible for its implementation, and for victim-survivors who may use it when they need support.
Crucially, Sharon’s Policy also addresses how employers can respond to perpetrators of abuse, while prioritising the safety of victim-survivors and protecting the organisation from reputational risk.
“When I was a victim of domestic abuse, my workplace was the only place where I was away from my perpetrator and the only space in which I could have accessed support. When I disclosed what was happening to my employer, they initially offered adjustments and support; however, as my case progressed to Crown Court, I was required to use annual leave to attend hearings. This did not sit right with me.
After rebuilding my life, I decided to use my lived experience as a force for good, to help ensure that other victim-survivors receive the understanding, protection, and support they deserve from their employer, whether their experience of abuse is past or present.”
– Sharon Livermore MBE, EIDA Ambassador and creator of Sharon’s Policy
Across EIDA’s resource hub and Sharon Livermore’s training organisation, Domestic Abuse Education, Sharon’s Policy has been downloaded over 3,300 times, transforming workplace responses to domestic abuse across the country.
“Seeing the momentum and growing interest in this work over the years has been a huge privilege. Knowing that I am playing a part in changing and saving lives is truly incredible. What began with the aim of helping just one person has led to over 3,300 downloads, supporting far more people than we ever imagined. I look forward to seeing how many more lives we can impact in the future.”
– Sharon Livermore MBE
“EIDA is a free to join member network supporting employers to put in place an effective workplace response to domestic abuse. Sharon’s Policy is one of our most used resources, and a cornerstone of an effective workplace response to domestic abuse. Domestic abuse seeps into our workplaces and has a massive impact on victim-survivors, their families, friends, and colleagues. With the right culture and understanding, employers can enable their employees to seek support, stay safe and remain in work. Employers can also call out concerning behaviours and hold those who abuse to account.”
– Susan Bright, CEO of EIDA
