Mercer is providing a best practice framework of training resources free of charge for staff in the superannuation industry to assist funds help members who are experiencing financial hardship due to family violence.
The resources included workshop materials, internal training and member-facing documentation. They aimed to help prepare staff not just deal with potentially traumatic conversations themselves, but also offer the best advice possible to members.
Mercer would also shortly release employee support packages to assist staff who are experiencing family violence themselves.
Mercer Pacific’s chief customer officer, Cambell Holt said that the superannuation industry had an obligation to help members in situations of family violence.
“There is no reason why the industry can’t provide the much-needed support to women experiencing family violence. We have a responsibility to assist members facing financial hardship,” he said.
“With one in three women experiencing some form of violence … it was crucial to ensure that staff were provided with the necessary resources to effectively assist and support vulnerable members.”
Holt said that Mercer member-facing staff who had gone through the pilot programme of training said that they felt “far better” equipped to assist members experiencing financial hardship or family violence.
