Dignity-4-All 2007
Project Launch Feedback - 19 January 2007: Croco Lodge, Roodepoort, South Africa
Background Information
The Workplace Dignity
Institute invited business, government departments, organised labour,
non-profit organisations, the media and other stakeholders to join forces
with us and support the Dignity-4-All 2007 Project by being
part of it by participating, organising and cooperating in every possible
way. Subsequently stakeholders attended a morning breakfast and workshop on
19 January 2007.
Dr Leon Wessels, a
Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of South Africa was the guest
speaker at the occassion which was well-attend by government departments,
business and organised labour.
Addressing violence on all
levels is a matter of top concern for South Africa. Recently the Human
Rights Commission of South Africa called for proposals from the public in an
effort to gain insight into how to address the violence in our schools
effectively. Similarly, employers report an increase in physical and
emotional violence in the workplace, while criminal violence is rampant in
society.
The workplace, whether the
public or private sector, has a track record of its ability to deal with
social issues effectively because of its structured approach. We only need
to think of the huge contribution the public and private sector of South
Africa, along with organised labour, is making in addressing HIV/AIDS
through the workplace.
The Gauteng Department of
Health recently participated in a programme to prevent and address violence
in the workplace with very good results. The model used in this effort could
be replicated as a model for social change to reduce violence in society.
The Workplace Dignity
Institute is calling on all workplaces and its stakeholders - the public and
private sector as well as organised labour, to participate in the
Dignity-4-All 2007 Project
This project is aimed at
fostering a culture of DIGNITY and RESPECT starting with the workplace and
reaching out to all levels of society and activities and programmes are
aimed at 2007.
The project to enhance a
climate of dignity and respect in the workplace and all levels of society
could be achieved through the following:
- The
project will run from 1 March to 15 December 2007.
- Developing a Framework Guidelines to
prevent and deal with violence (physical and emotional) in the
workplace.
- All
measures at raising awareness to prevent and reduce physical and
emotional violence in the workplace may also be replicated in society or
in the communities served by the workplace(s)
- A
unique programme, as part of the project, could be driven by the public
relations and/or wellness sections in the workplace.
-
Activities at the various workplaces throughout the year can be reported
and will receive publication on the
www.worktrauma.org website.
- Requesting the media's cooperation and participation in this project.
- A
Workplace Dignity Week - the first week of May 2007 should be a
highlight of the project and one of the big events.
- Programmes
by Wellness sections or Public Relations Departments should aimed at
reducing physical and emotional violence and enhancing a culture of
dignity and respect
- Promotional material will be made available by the Workplace Dignity
Institute - such as T-shirts, the Dignity-4-All 2007 wrist band.
- Advertisements on radio and television sponsored by broadcasting
authorities
- A
one-day seminar on the concept of dignity
- equesting participating organisations to raise public awareness by
utilising their marketing and advertising campaigns
Download the 19th January's Plenary Feedback report of the Groups on
- Public Relations, Communication and Fundraising
- Role of Employee Wellness Programmes, Policies and Charters
- Seminars, Conferences,Workshops and Events
- The unions, National Workplace Dignity Week and Survey into Workplace Violence.
Dr Susan Steinman's public engagements
9 March 2007: International Women's Day - guest speaker at the Department of Social Development
10 - 12 July 2007: Keynote speaker and workshop facilitator at the international conference: striving towards dignity in the workplace at the Southern Sun Grayston, Sandton, Johannesburg.
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