The Government has given the go-ahead for victims of domestic violence to be given paid leave from work.
Equality Minister Roderic O'Gorman announced the introduction of the new scheme to assist victims of domestic violence, with workers affected entitled to five days of paid leave per year. The Government is also set to put in place supports for employers to assist them in developing domestic violence workplace policies, and to better support employees experiencing domestic violence.
The new measures are part of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, which are hoped to improve family-friendly work practices and support women in the workforce. The bill will introduce the right to request flexible working arrangements for caring purposes for parents and carers, a right to leave for medical care purposes both for employees with children up to the age of 12 and carers, and an extension of breast-feeding and lactation breaks from six months to two years.
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Minister O'Gorman said: "Through a wide-ranging suite of measures, it will provide additional flexibility to ensure that parents and carers can be supported to balance their working and family lives. Importantly, the bill will also provide significant assistance to those who are suffering domestic, sexual or gender-based violence."
Mr O'Gorman said that the Government has "always prioritised the issue of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence", and that Ireland will now become one of the first countries in Europe to introduce a right to paid leave for victims of domestic violence. The Domestic Violence Leave Report has also been approved, which includes recommendations for employers on how best to support employees experiencing domestic abuse.
The report has made two recommendations; that a form of domestic violence leave be introduced, and that employers put supports in place to support workers who are victims of domestic violence. The Minister lintends to introduce legislative provisions providing for a form of domestic violence leave as Committee Stage amendments to the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill.
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