With almost one-third of marriages ending in divorce, the impact of separation on employees can result in reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, staff turnover, commercial losses and accidents. These can be felt throughout the workplace, no matter how hard employees might try to manage the issues associated with a separation.

Based on research conducted by Dr Graeme Russell, international expert on men, work and fathering from Macquarie University, it is estimated that as many as four hours are lost each week for every affected employee struggling to come to terms with separation.

According to his research, for a 1,000-employee workplace, the annual costs are high - an average of $180,000 in leave and 11,500 hours of lost productivity each year.

An award-winning program from the Child Support Agency (CSA) aims to tackle these issues by helping separated dads and mums in the workplace, and contributing to businesses' bottom lines at the same time.
 
'Staying Connected', a half-day workshop, helps separated parents to take care of themselves and take control of their lives. The workshop is presented in the workplace to groups of up to 16. Like many workshops, it is interactive, with opportunities for participants to speak about their personal circumstances and to engage in group activities.

The program has a focus on assisting participants to look after themselves, to strengthen and maintain relationships with their children, particularly when they may not see them as often as they used to and on establishing a business-like relationship with their former partner.

Staying Connected was recently awarded Suicide Prevention Australia's (SPA) Public Sector award, recognising its special contribution and achievement in promoting awareness, education and information on suicide and suicide prevention. In 2004, Staying Connected won the prestigious Gold award in the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Sector Management.

CSA GM, Matt Miller, said that the CSA is working hard to meet parents' needs after separation. "There are few life events that come with as many knocks as separation - it can affect you emotionally, financially and physically," he said.

The CSA encourages businesses to consider running Staying Connected in their workplace. Information is available at www.csa.gov.au/stayingconnected