In a groundbreaking move, Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, has ushered in a new era for employee well-being in Ireland. Under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, a significant addition to the Parental Leave Acts has been made, granting employees the right to Domestic Violence Leave with full pay. Ireland takes the lead in the EU as one of the first countries to introduce such a progressive measure.
A Leap Forward for Ireland
Domestic violence and abuse remain prevalent issues in Ireland, with Women's Aid reporting a staggering 16% increase in disclosures, reaching 33,990 cases last year— the highest in nearly 50 years.
The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence states that ‘domestic violence is more common than most people realise and is often unreported and misunderstood. Research suggests that in the region of 213,000 women and 88,000 men in Ireland have been severely abused by a partner at some point in their lives.'
Minister O’Gorman emphasises the importance of this new leave: "Domestic violence leave gives a victim of domestic violence the chance to access support without impacting on their employment and income. Ensuring that they can receive their full pay will go a long way to help with this."
A Compassionate Approach
This initiative places a strong emphasis on protecting employees by providing a supportive and compassionate environment. The goal is to encourage individuals to come forward without fear of judgement, enabling them to access essential services during challenging times, especially when abusers believe their victims are at work.
Leave Details and Eligibility
The Domestic Violence Leave offers up to 5 days of paid leave within a 12-month period, without the need for mandatory service. Importantly, this leave will be paid by the employer at the employee's normal daily rate. No supporting documents are required, and notification is to be given to the designated appropriate person as soon as reasonably practicable.
Putting Policy into Practice
With HR Duo, you’ll gain full access to a suite of comprehensive policies, templates and guidelines, as well as our HR knowledge centre. This also now includes our policies and guidelines addressing Domestic Violence and leave. Let HR Duo empower your business to thrive effortlessly, making compliance and employee well-being top priorities. Get in touch with us here to explore our HR support.
