From January 1,the state government will provide the same leave provisions to all workers,including temporary and casual staff. The current domestic violence leave entitlement is 10 days,and is not available for casuals.
All public sector workers in NSW will be entitled to 20 days’ paid domestic violence leave from January 1.istock
Access to carers’ leave will also be extended to all employees providing support to a family or household member who is a victim-survivor of domestic violence.
The increased leave will apply across the NSW public sector and was developed in consultation with unions,government employers and family and domestic violence policy experts.
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the increased leave was a key priority of the Perrottet government.
“As the largest employer in NSW,it is our government’s responsibility to provide workers with the support and security to take time away from work to take the necessary steps to find safety for themselves and their family,” she said.
“That is why we have made this commitment to double the amount of paid family and domestic violence leave available to all public sector employees from 10 to 20 days,to give our workers greater support at a time when they need it most.
“Everyone has the right to be safe both at home and in the workplace,which is why we have made addressing the issue of women’s safety and the prevention of domestic and family violence a priority with record funding to increase support across the sector.”
Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said the new leave provision would help support NSW government staff in extremely challenging and traumatic circumstances.
“NSW was the first Australian jurisdiction to include specific provisions for domestic and family violence leave into enterprise agreements and awards for its public sector employees and once again we will be leading with comprehensive leave provisions to support victim-survivors seeking safety and care,” Tudehope said.
“This enhanced arrangement will apply across the NSW public sector and has been developed following discussions with unions,government employers and DFV policy experts.”
The increase in domestic violence leave follows new paid parental leave arrangements for public sector workers,which ends a distinction between “primary” or “secondary” carer,with both parents entitled to 14 weeks of paid parental leave and an additional two weeks’ leave where care is more equally shared between parents.
Legislation has been introduced to federal parliament to amend the Fair Work Act to include 10 days’ paid family and domestic violence leave for all workers including casuals,which will provide a safety net for about 11 million workers.
National Sexual Assault,Family&Domestic Violence Counselling Line:1800 737 732.
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