Survivors of domestic violence and paid leave

New Zealand has taken a big step forward by being the second country in the world to grant victims of domestic abuse an additional ten days paid leave from work each year. The first country was the Philippines.

Women’s Aid have, through their work, found that many victims lose their jobs as a result of experience of domestic abuse or when victims are forced to flee their homes. Domestic abuse can and does have devastating consequences. Loss of employment is another barrier for survivors to overcome in a bid to a life free from abuse.

Victims from all walks of life experience domestic abuse, whether they are on zero-hour contracts or a full time, high paid profession. Domestic abuse can have a devastating impact on any victim’s employment. Many victims fear losing their jobs as a result of the abuse. Due to the fear of losing their financial security, it often deters victims from seeking help or disclosing the abuse to an employer or colleague. Women’s aid also knows that financial concerns are a major barrier to victims leaving an abusive partner, often forcing a victim to stay with their abuser.

Abusers can often use the victims work as a means of controlling them, by threatening to or making it difficult for them to effectively carry out their job. Abusers, often, financially abuse victims by taking their earnings. The devastating impact of domestic abuse on victims can have a negative impact on them carrying out their work to their usual ability. It can result in unexplained lateness or absenteeism. Victims often feel they are not able to speak about the abuse for fear that they will not be believed or supported. Victims must feel they can speak openly with their employer about the abuse, supported and be safe in the knowledge that their job is secure.

However, a victim’s place of work can often be their sanctuary, the only space where they may be able to get help and their job may be what sustains them psychologically. It is vital that employers give the right response to those experiencing domestic abuse. We need to see employers taking proactive steps to support victims, to be able to adopt an understanding and flexible approach to supporting survivors at work according to their needs, whether a victim can be transferred to another office location if appropriate, paying their wages into a bank account that an abuser does not have access to or giving a victim time off to move home or to attend appointments.

This decision by New Zealand Government is a landmark decision. Our English Government is currently drafting legislation for their Domestic Abuse Bill, which aims to transform the response to domestic abuse. This legislation is an opportunity for the Government to consider how they can change employer’s response to domestic abuse and provide support for victims and survivors.

Employers must have a robust and comprehensive domestic abuse policy in place, but also ensure that it is put into practice.

If you or anyone you know is being or has been subjected to domestic violence or any other form of domestic violence and abuse, or the perpetrator has made an application in the family courts and you have to attend, don’t delay, contact the Domestic Violence and Abuse Department (DVAD) at Emery Johnson Astills, either by phoning 0116 255 4855, or by emailing DVAD@johnsonastills.com.

A specially trained member of staff in the DVAD of Emery Johnson Astills will be able to provide advice as to what measures you can take to protect yourself and also whether you may be eligible for Legal Aid.