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Domestic Abuse Training: Why It Matters in The Workplace

Domestic Abuse Training: Why It Matters in The Workplace

by | Sep 23, 2025 | Health and Wellbeing, Employment and HR, News

Domestic abuse remains a serious issue in the UK, affecting millions of people every year. Providing effective domestic abuse training is essential for organisations of all sizes to ensure staff are aware of the signs, know how to respond appropriately, and understand the legal responsibilities involved.

The Current Landscape

Recent statistics show that over 2.1 million adults in England and Wales experience domestic abuse annually, though many cases go unreported. Employment tribunals involving domestic abuse claims have risen, highlighting the importance of workplaces providing adequate support.

Failing to support staff experiencing domestic abuse can amount to discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, particularly relating to sex, age, or disability. High-profile cases have demonstrated significant financial and reputational consequences for organisations that do not take action.

What is Domestic Abuse and Violence?

 

Domestic Abuse and Violence Training

“Domestic Abuse can be defined as any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional factors”.

Domestic violence can happen against anyone, and anybody can be an abuser. It involves one person in a relationship having power and control over the other person.

Although historically women were seen as the victim and men as a perpetrator, 25% of reported domestic abuse involves crime against a male. Men and women can both be the victim or perpetrator.

There are a number of potential risk factors that have been identified which may increase the risk of incidents of domestic abuse and violence. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Physical learning difficulties – a victim may find it harder to disclose what has happened or may be reliant on the perpetrator for personal care or mobility.
  • Socio-economic status
  • Relationship status
  • Gender
  • Homelessness
  • Household structure
  • Sexual orientation
  • Mental health

Although consideration should be given to these factors, there is no clear cut way to define who may or may not experience domestic abuse and violence, and therefore, anyone reporting or showing the signs of experiencing domestic abuse and violence must be given appropriate support and resources.

Domestic Abuse and Violence can take place anywhere, at home or beyond and can have many components, not always physical and can include abuse and violent harassment by phone, over the internet or through social networking sites. It can have many different guises with differing levels of severity including:

  • Stalking and harassment
  • Online and digital abuse
  • Teenage relationship abuse
  • Child to parent abuse
  • ‘Honour’ based violence
  • Financial abuse
  • Physical abuse
  • Verbal abuse
  • Coercion and control

All of these aspects are covered in more detail in our Domestic Abuse and Violence online training course.

It’s important to remember that domestic abuse and violence are never the fault of the victim.

 

Legislation and Employer Responsibilities

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 reinforced workplace responsibilities, ensuring that employers recognise domestic abuse as a legitimate workplace concern. Upcoming legislation, such as provisions within the Employment Rights Bill, will further emphasise equality, requiring organisations to demonstrate policies and support measures for affected staff.

Even before legal mandates, tribunals expect employers to make reasonable adjustments for staff experiencing domestic abuse, which can include flexible working arrangements, wellbeing support, and clear reporting procedures.

Taking Action

Effective domestic abuse training is becoming a priority for all organisations. By educating staff and embedding support policies, organisations can:

  • Protect employees and vulnerable adults

  • Reduce legal and reputational risk

  • Promote a culture of empathy, safety, and inclusion

Online Domestic Abuse Training for All Workplaces

Organisations of all sizes, from corporate offices to schools, faith groups, and community organisations, can benefit from comprehensive online domestic abuse training. This course helps workplaces stay prepared, compliant, and supportive.

Practical Guidance for Managers and HR Teams
Many managers and HR teams need clear guidance on recognising the signs of domestic abuse, supporting staff, and knowing what steps to take if concerns arise. Developed with experts, this course gives you the knowledge and confidence to act effectively.

Accessible and Informative for Everyone
The 45-minute course is valuable for employers, volunteers, and employees alike. It raises awareness, provides practical guidance, and directs learners to resources and support, all in a sensitive, educational format.

For more information about how our training courses can support the health and wellbeing of your team, please feel free to get in touch on 01332 208500 or contact us here.

We will happily offer a free trial of our Domestic Abuse and Violence Awareness Training course to all those who may find it of use to their organisation.

Resilience in the workplace | Why it’s important

Resilience in the workplace | Why it’s important

by | Jul 4, 2025 | Employment and HR, Health and Wellbeing, News

Resilience in the workplace has become one of the most valuable traits an employee can possess, particularly in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing workplace environments. Resilience is the ability to recover from setbacks, adapt to change, and keep moving forward – all important qualities that can help you thrive in challenging situations, whether you’re on the front line or in the boardroom.

Resilience, however, is not something people are necessarily born with, it’s a skill that can be nurtured and developed. Resilience can vary from person to person but everyone has the capacity to become resilient, it’s something we can all learn, practice and develop over time. For organisations looking to thrive, investing in resilience training for your workforce can pay off in more ways than one.

What Is Workplace Resilience?

Workplace resilience is more than simply an ability to “bounce back.” It’s about cultivating a mindset, strategies, and habits that help employees handle pressure, manage change, recover from difficulties, and remain focused and productive when faced with challenges.

Whether it’s navigating organisational change, meeting tight deadlines, or dealing with unexpected obstacles, resilient employees are better equipped to stay motivated and maintain performance.

Barriers to Resilience

  • Negative thought patterns – persistent self-doubt, thinking everything will go wrong, or focusing on mistakes can trap you in a cycle of negativity.
  • Poor stress management – repeated or prolonged periods of stress without any healthy coping mechanisms can drain your mental and physical energy, making it harder to bounce back.
  • Perfectionism – always aiming for unrealistically high standards makes even small setbacks feel like major failures. This will eventually wear down your sense of achievement, and with it your resilience.
  • Unhealthy lifestyle habits – poor sleep, lack of exercise, and persistent unhealthy eating can reduce your physical and mental resilience.
  • Fear of failure – fear of making mistakes can lead to inaction or make you avoid challenges, which can prevent growth.
  • Inflexibility – difficulty adapting to change or being unable to consider alternative perspectives can stop you from problem-solving effectively.
  • Past Trauma or difficulties – past experiences of loss, failure or trauma can make it harder to cope with new challenges.

The Benefits of Building a Resilient Workforce

It’s very unlikely that anyone’s life passes without challenges or unwanted change. However, our levels of resilience will determine how well we will manage these challenges. With a resilient and positive mindset, we can learn to manage and withstand the challenges we face.

Resilience is a set of skills, behaviours and actions that can be learned and developed. The benefits of nurturing resilience in the workplace include:

Improved Employee Wellbeing

Resilience training can empower employees to handle stress more effectively, reducing the risk of burnout and absenteeism. A healthier workforce is not only happier but also more engaged and productive.

Enhanced Adaptability

The modern workplace demands flexibility. Resilient employees can adapt to new technologies, processes, and expectations, making them valuable assets.

Increased Team Dynamics

Resilience isn’t just an individual trait, it influences how teams collaborate and support one another. By fostering resilience, organisations can create a culture of trust and mutual respect.

Stronger Organisational Performance

A resilient workforce can manage tough times without losing momentum, helping businesses achieve long-term goals despite external pressures.

How Can Resilience Be Learned?

Building resilience doesn’t happen overnight, but it is achievable with the right guidance and tools. Practical strategies such as mindfulness, effective communication, and stress management techniques can make a real difference.

Many organisations are now using online training to provide their employees with the skills they need to develop resilience. Resilience Training offers a convenient and accessible way to introduce practical, research-backed methods that can be applied immediately.

Our course Building Resilience Online Training Course is suitable for all employees across all levels of an organisation, as well as individuals wanting to develop and grow their own personal resilience.

The course will explain what is meant by resilience and its importance in both professional and personal life, help you identify the common traits of resilient people, and teach you some practical techniques to help improve resilience in daily life.

Ready for the Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act?

Ready for the Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act?

by | Jul 2, 2025 | Corporate Governance

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act is set to bring significant change to how organisations across the UK manage fraud prevention, transparency, and corporate accountability. Coming into force in September 2025, this new legislation will impose tougher obligations on businesses of all sizes.

As a Digital Learning provider, we want to ensure your teams are not only aware of the changes but are also fully equipped to respond with the right Fraud Awareness and Prevention Training.

What is the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act?

Introduced as part of the UK government’s wider efforts to tackle economic crime, the Act is designed to:

  • Strengthen corporate transparency
  • Improve the accuracy of information held by Companies House
  • Clamp down on fraudulent activities
  • Introduce new offences and accountability for organisations that fail to prevent fraud

It builds on earlier legislation such as the Bribery Act (2010) and the Criminal Finances Act (2017), but goes much further in scope, including criminal liability for failing to prevent fraud by employees or associates.

Why is the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act Important?

In 2024, the National Crime Agency estimated that 3.4 million incidents of fraud were reported in England alone. According to the Annual Fraud Indicator (2023), workplace fraud costs the UK economy an estimated £219 billion every year. These figures highlight the scale and severity of economic crime, which can affect organisations of all sizes.

Fraud not only causes direct financial losses, but can also damage a company’s reputation, erode trust among stakeholders, and lead to regulatory penalties or legal action. It can also have a significant impact on employee morale, especially if the fraud is committed by a colleague, or goes undetected for long periods. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act aims to address these challenges by strengthening corporate accountability and making it harder for criminals to exploit UK businesses. For employers, understanding the risks and taking proactive steps to prevent fraud is more crucial than ever.

Who Needs to Comply with the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act?

Although the new offence of failure to prevent fraud will initially apply to large organisations, the overall reforms under the Act affect all businesses registered in the UK, including:

  • Financial institutions
  • Local councils and public sector bodies
  • Charities and not-for-profits
  • SMEs and larger corporate groups

Even if your organisation isn’t directly liable under the new offence, you could still be impacted via supply chains, partnerships, or customer due diligence requirements.

Key Provisions of the Act: What You Need to Know

Some of the most significant changes under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act include:

  • A new corporate offence: Companies can be prosecuted if they fail to prevent fraud committed by staff or associated persons.
  • Tighter identity verification: Directors, PSCs (Persons with Significant Control), and those filing documents at Companies House must verify their identity.
  • Increased powers for Companies House: To scrutinise and reject information that appears misleading or fraudulent.
  • Wider liability: Senior managers can be held individually accountable in certain circumstances.

The clear message is that organisations must take proactive steps to prevent economic crime or risk criminal sanctions.

Why Fraud Awareness and Prevention Training is Essential

With the clock ticking towards implementation in September 2025, now is the time to act. While updating systems and processes is essential, embedding a culture of awareness and compliance across your workforce is equally important.

Fraud Awareness and Prevention Training helps your employees to:

  • Recognise suspicious behaviour and red flags
  • Understand what constitutes fraud under the new Act
  • Know how to report concerns safely and effectively
  • Understand the legal and reputational risks of non-compliance
  • Play a proactive role in safeguarding your organisation

Training is one of the clearest ways to demonstrate that you’re taking “reasonable steps” to prevent fraud, which is a key defence under the new offence.

Fraud Awareness Online Learning

Our engaging, accessible Fraud Awareness and Prevention eLearning course is designed specifically for UK organisations, including public sector bodies and financial institutions. The course is:

  • Up to date with the latest legislation (including the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023)
  • Fully online and trackable for compliance purposes
  • Customisable to your internal policies and reporting structures
  • Suitable for all levels of staff, from frontline employees to senior management

By educating your teams now, you can build a solid line of defence and avoid costly consequences in the future.

Prepare Today for Compliance Tomorrow

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act marks a major shift in corporate accountability. With enforcement beginning imminently, the need for robust fraud prevention measures, including training, is more urgent than ever.

Don’t wait until the legislation comes into effect. Contact us today to learn how our fraud awareness and prevention training can help your organisation stay compliant, protect its reputation, and reduce risk.