Kering introduces policy to support domestic violence victims

By

Robin Driver

Published
Mar 30, 2021

French luxury group Kering, owner of brands including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen, announced on Monday that it has implemented an internal policy that aims to provide support for employees that are suffering from domestic violence.

 
Citing WHO statistics revealing that almost one in three women has experienced domestic violence, Kering highlighted that this situation has recently been compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has left victims of this kind of abuse even more vulnerable.
 
In line with the application of ILO Convention no. 190 on violence and harassment in the workplace, Kering has therefore introduced a policy on domestic violence, which is applicable to all of its global employees, both at the level of the group’s organization and at its individual brands.

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First launched in January of this year, the policy offers Kering employees who are victims of domestic violence a package of confidential support measures, most of which are provided by specialist organizations. The policy also contains provision for an employee’s working conditions, such as location and hours, to be altered, if necessary, as well as the possibility of specific leave and financial support.
 
“With this pioneering policy, Kering is underlining its absolute commitment to the well-being and safety of its employees,” said Kering’s director of human resources, Béatrice Lazat, in a release. “Domestic violence is unacceptable. As a global group, we believe that we have a role to play in fighting this and providing practical help for its victims, particularly in the current situation, where this violence has only increased.”
 
The newly implemented domestic violence policy is part of a wider set of commitments made by Kering and its charitable Foundation to ensure a safe and supportive workplace for victims of domestic violence.
 
Kering is an active member of the Generation Equality Forum, serving as a private sector leader in the Action Coalition on gender-based violence, while the Kering Foundation collaborates with a wide range of organizations to combat violence against women.
 
The Foundation’s activities on this front are organized around three main commitments, namely supporting women, preventing violence by working with younger generations, and taking collective action across the globe. Its partners include organizations working at the local, national and global levels.
 
At the local level, for example, the Kering Foundation works with The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, while national partners include the U.S.’s National Network to End Domestic Violence, France’s Fédération Nationale Solidarité Femmes, and Women’s Aid in the UK.
 
Among the Foundation’s international collaborators, Promundo works to engage men and boys in promoting gender equality. Last year, Promundo and the Kering Foundation came together to launch the Global Boyhood Initiative, which provides boys aged 4 to 13, as well as parents, teachers and coaches, with tools and resources promoting healthy masculinity and gender equality, in the United States.