As part of its ongoing commitment to providing a safe operating environment, Oil Search Limited has completed the first training of twelve Workplace Contacts under its Family and Women’s Protection Procedure (FWPP).
The FWPP is part of the company’s broader commitment to ensuring employees are supported in the workplace and recognising that family violence in Papua New Guinea is a significant issue that impacts individuals, communities and businesses.
“We know that family violence is a cost to business. We have employees who are not isolated from this issue. And this affects productivity and at times attendance at work. We need to support our staff by providing tools and knowledge like we do with a range of other programmes such as Safety and Behavioural aspects of learning,” says Pansy Taueni-Sialis, Head of Human Resources PNG.
For Oil Search, training the twelve Workplace Contacts means having key people in place who can assist staff explore their options to access available professional services in Papua New Guinea.
“The Workplace Contacts are not expected to fulfil the role of a Counsellor; they are there to help sign-post staff on to relevant services in their area. Sometimes people don’t look for solutions to family violence because they simply do not know where to begin. This is one way we can help people to put into place a plan of action for their own wellbeing if they choose to do so,” adds Shabnam Hameed from the Business Coalition for Women (BCFW).
The FWPP training was held in partnership with BCFW of which Oil Search is a member.
“This is one, among a suite of tools that we have on offer, to address violence for businesses,” states Laura Thomas-Lung, Executive Officer of BCFW.
“In addition to this we provide Safety Audit training which aims to deliver an all-encompassing female-friendly and female-safe workplace, an adaptable FSV policy framework which enables companies to manage the impacts of FSV on businesses holistically, including the provision of referral pathways for survivors of violence, and Leadership and Management training which targets emerging female executive leaders who will undoubtedly influence outcomes of the addressing violence conversation. These resources which are available to member companies can be accessed to help them better respond to some of these business critical issues.”
Being committed to Women’s Protection and Empowerment, Oil Search plans to continue the rollout of additional training, resources and supports to Workplace Contacts to ensure there is a genuine support in place for all staff.
