Imagine facing the heartbreak and struggle of domestic abuse while also worrying about how to continue working and ensuring your safety at the same time. In a bid to address this issue, Labour MP for Gloucester, Alex McIntyre, has proposed a bill titled the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill, aimed at offering victims of domestic abuse 10 days of paid time off work. This initiative is designed to provide them the necessary time to address their safety and well-being, with further consultation required for full implementation.
McIntyre plans to introduce this Bill in the House of Commons amid the inherent challenges that often accompany a Private Member’s Bill. These challenges include limited parliamentary time and the difficulty of gaining widespread support. This proposal underscores the pressing need for employers to lend their backing to domestic abuse survivors, a sentiment that has been echoed by local organizations within McIntyre’s constituency. These groups have highlighted the importance of employer support in assisting survivors to secure safe housing, address health or housing issues, manage childcare, attend court or police interviews, and seek necessary counseling.
The Bill also resonates with Labour’s broader commitment to halving violence against women and girls within the next decade. While the idea of employer support for domestic abuse victims isn’t novel, it remains pertinent. In 2021, then-business minister Paul Scully issued an open letter urging employers to support workers facing domestic abuse and emphasized the importance of flexible working conditions and salary advances during a subsequent review.
Kevin Poulter, an employment partner at law firm Freeths, pointed out that several employers are already providing necessary support to employees in distressing and unsafe situations, even in the absence of a legal mandate. Companies like Vodafone and the charity Villiers Park Educational Trust are examples of organizations that have adopted policies to offer paid leave for domestic abuse victims. Furthermore, the CIPD and the Equality and Human Rights Commission have released guidelines recommending a provision of 10 days of paid leave for domestic abuse survivors.
While Poulter agrees that a law guaranteeing minimum protection standards and pay for employees impacted by domestic abuse could offer a sense of security and alleviate some of the anxiety, he stresses the significance of employers being well-versed in the law’s application, cost implications, and case assessment procedures. He also highlights the need to consider private resolution methods as many victims may not wish to engage in formal legal proceedings. Alternative methods can provide a safer and less stressful means of reaching a resolution.
This movement towards employer support for domestic abuse survivors is gaining momentum, with legislative proposals, organizational policies, and advisory guidelines all contributing to a more structured and formal approach to addressing the needs of these victims. McIntyre’s proposed Bill aims to solidify these efforts to enhance the safety and welfare of those enduring domestic abuse.
