Estonian employers: if you have people working for you, then domestic abuse is likely to affect you too

President Kersti Kaljulaid spoke with employers who are committed to reducing domestic abuse through workplace. The leaders of Lidl Estonia, Betsson Group, and Ensto Estonia share their thoughts and experiences on why they are paying attention to this issue, how they are addressing it, and how employees have responded.

Domestic abuse had already been on Lidl’s radar for some time, as the company had encountered such stories in the workplace. However, it was the Employers Against Domestic Abuse initiative that gave the final push to take more concrete action. “Domestic violence affects every one of us. It may not be a personal experience, but we’ve all seen it around us,” says Karin Sahar-Lambinen, Head of Employee Engagement at Lidl Estonia. “At Lidl, we are very aware of how many people we employ and how much of their time is spent at work. So who, if not the employer, can help make life better for them? This is one way we can support our employees’ well-being – and when our people are happy and satisfied, what could be better for a company?”

Ensto is a family business where sustainability, care, and a health-promoting work environment are core values. “We can see and feel that to improve the work environment even further, we need to take new topics on the table,” says Margus Leinbock, CEO of Ensto Estonia. “In the past, we’ve carried out similar initiatives and projects on issues such as alcoholism, drug use, and workplace bullying. For us, it was a very logical next step to focus on domestic abuse. If we can support even one employee at the right moment, the impact is huge – and truly invaluable.” He admits that recognising the signs of domestic abuse can be difficult, but that's exactly why the journey is worth taking – to be better equipped to notice them in the future.

Betsson Group is guided by strong values, and the company firmly believes that its people and its values are its greatest strength. “If you look at the statistics and see how many people in Estonia have experienced domestic abuse, then you can’t just close your eyes and pretend it doesn’t affect your company, your people, or your clients,” emphasises Kaido Ulejev, Managing Director for the Baltics at Betsson Group. “That would be self-deception. If you have people working for you, this issue is likely to touch you too. And if the topic doesn’t speak to you from a values perspective, then there’s also a very clear economic dimension to consider.”

Watch the full webinar here (only in Estonian):

According to Triin Adamson, head of the Employers Against Domestic Abuse initiative, it is heartening to see how Estonian employers are increasingly recognising the connection between domestic abuse and work life. “A person is a whole – which means domestic abuse never stays confined within the home. Research shows that domestic abuse has a clear impact on work life, relationships, organisations, the healthcare system, the economy, and society as a whole. Employers play a crucial role in prevention, because only by working together can we build a society where violence is less common,” says Adamson.

To date, 16 organisations have joined the initiative. The following companies have committed to a three-year focus on preventing domestic abuse as beacon members: SOL Baltics, Ensto Estonia, Betsson Group, Enefit, North Estonia Medical Centre (Regionaalhaigla Group), Selver, and Rush Street Interactive. Regular members include: Lidl Estonia, IKEA, Nordea, Swedbank, Bolt, Telia, Seesam Insurance, and Südameapteek, while Mõttekasv has joined as a small member.

All employers are welcome to join the initiative, regardless of their field of activity or the size of their organisation. We invite businesses, non-profit organisations, foundations, and other legal entities who share our values and vision. Individuals interested in the topic are also warmly welcome to engage.