Domestic violence leave
If you, or a child in your care, are affected by domestic violence, you can ask your employer for paid domestic violence leave and flexible working arrangements.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger call 111 now.
What domestic violence means
Domestic (or family) violence includes physical, sexual or psychological abuse.
Under the Domestic Violence — Victims’ Protection Act 2018, you have the right to be protected against domestic violence whatever your gender or type of relationship you’re in.
Your rights as an employee
It does not matter if the violence happened before you started with your current employer, or before the law changed on 1 April 2019.
If you meet the employment criteria, you can:
- apply to take 10 days of paid domestic violence leave each year
- ask for a short-term flexible working arrangement for up to 2 months.
You cannot be discriminated against unfairly at your work.
You can also ask for paid domestic leave to support a child who has experienced domestic violence.
Domestic violence leave rights and responsibilities
Employment criteria
The employment criteria that apply depend on whether you are in full-time work, or some other situation such as part-time or casual work.
Check the type of employee you are
Applying for domestic violence leave
Tell your employer as soon as possible that you need to apply for domestic violence leave. Your employer has up to 10 working days to reply in writing to your request.
Short-term flexible working
You can ask your employer to change your work arrangements for up to 2 months. It could be a change to your duties, work location or the time you start and finish work each day.
If you are refused leave or flexible work arrangements
If you cannot talk to your employer you can get free, confidential help and mediation.
Problems getting domestic violence rights
Utility links and page information
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