The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has announced that Domestic Violence Leave will come into effect next Monday, 27th November 2023. This leave comes under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, which was signed into law in April earlier this year.
The Act provides that all employees will now be entitled to 5 days Domestic Violence leave in any 12 month period, to be fully paid for by the employer. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has published a Guidance Note in conjunction with Women’s Aid to provide support for organisations in developing and implementing Domestic Leave policies.
This leave can be availed of by an employee directly experiencing domestic violence or by an employee who is supporting a ‘relevant person’ which is defined as the following in relation to the employee;
- the spouse or civil partner of the Employee
- the cohabitant of the Employee
- a person with whom the Employee is in an intimate relationship
- a child of the Employee who has not attained full age, or
- a person who, in relation to the employee, is a dependent person
This leave can be in relation to an ongoing Domestic Violence experience as well as past experiences.
Domestic Violence Leave is a statutory entitlement, and as such employers must prepare for its commencement by reviewing their leave policies and developing a policy on Domestic Violence Leave where applicable.
Contact Us:
For more advice and support on Domestic Violence Leave, or to discuss our HR Services, please contact a member of the RBK HR Solutions Team:
- Yvonne Clarke – HR Solutions Manager – (090) 6480600
- Áine Dunne – Asst. HR Solutions Manager – (090) 6480600
