This week, a bill to provide ten days paid family and domestic violence leave to all Australians is being debated in Parliament. We need your support to help make sure that this life-saving entitlement is made law. Sign the petition to show your support Family and domestic violence is a national crisis. We know the tragic numbers: on average one woman is killed each week by a partner, ex-partner or family member in Australia. Why is legislating 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave so important? Workplaces have a key role to play in supporting a woman facing family and domestic violence. Escaping a violent relationship takes time and money. And knowing you can return to a safe, secure job is critically important. It is estimated that moving to find a new, safe place for yourself and your family costs can cost up to $20,000 and take more than 140 hours – but Federal laws currently only provide for five days of unpaid leave. Paid family and domestic violence leave can give a woman – and it nearly always is a woman – the time, support and job security she needs to escape and recover from an abusive relationship. We must give all workers access to paid family and domestic violence leave. It takes paid leave to leave. And we won't wait, because women can't wait. What you can do right now Show your support for legislating 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave by signing the petition. Sign the petition to show your support Already signed the petition but want to do more to support the campaign for paid family and domestic violence leave? Click here for more ways you can get involved
Together, ASU members started and led the campaign for paid family and domestic violence leave. This week, the new Labor government sits for the first time in Parliament and today has introduced 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave as one of their first acts. ASU members have campaigned to ensure paid family and domestic violence leave is a universal entitlement and allows a woman – and it nearly always is a woman – the time, support and job security she needs to escape and recover from an abusive relationship. Today is a good day. This bill will saves lives, but we are at a critical moment - the bill still needs to pass through the senate. Passing this legislation in Parliament will ensure all workers covered by the National Employment Standards including casual, part-time and permanent workers will be able access this critical support if they need it. It takes time and money to leave. Moving to find a new, safe place for yourself and your family costs is estimated to cost up to $20,000 and take more than 140 hours – but Federal laws currently only provide for five days of unpaid leave. Be part of history and add your name here to ensure all workers have access to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave. When this bill is passed, it will ensure an extra 8.44 million workers have access to this crucial entitlement. If you need support or information about how to access family and domestic violence leave contact us at 1800 177 244 or representation@together.org.au You can also contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are in immediate danger – call 000.
ASU members have led the campaign for 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave and this week we have won. On Monday, the Fair Work Commission made an in-principle decision that 2.66 million workers covered by modern awards should have access to 10 days paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave. We await the final details and introduction of the clause as they are finalised by the Fair Work Commission. This is an historic step and will be life changing for women experiencing family violence. Key points of the FWC’s decision are as follows: Full time employees and, on a pro-rata basis part-time employees should be entitled to 10 days paid FDV leave per year. The FWC’s provisional view is that it shouldn’t extend to casuals, and there should be no supplementary unpaid FDV leave. The entitlement should accrue progressively across the year in the same way as for personal/carer’s leave accrues under the NES, subject to a ‘cap’ whereby the total accrual does not exceed 10 days at any given time. The FDV leave entitlement should be accessible in advance of an entitlement to such leave accruing, by agreement between an employer and employee. Paid at the employee’s ‘base rate of pay’ as defined in s.16 of the FW Act. The definition of ‘family and domestic violence’ should be in the same terms as the definition in s.106B(2) of the FW Act (and not extend to FDV perpetrated by a member of the employee’s household who is not related to the employee as we wanted). In all other relevant respects the model FDV leave term should reflect the terms of the current unpaid provision in the NES. Unions will work with employers to formulate a draft model FDV leave and file with the FWC next month. Stay tuned for more details on the next steps! The very first family violence leave in an enforceable industrial agreement anywhere in the world was negotiated by the Australian Services Union in 2010. Paid family and domestic violence leave can give a woman – and it nearly always is a woman – the time, support and job security she needs to escape and recover from an abusive relationship. This is a fantastic first step, but we can't stop now. To cover all workers, we need at least 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave in the National Employment Standards. The campaign continues and you can still add your voice to the calls for FDV leave in the NES. Sign our petition here and support access to paid family and domestic violence leave for all workers. We won’t wait, because women can’t wait. Note: Queensland Public Sector members already have the protection of 10 days FDV leave under the Support for employees affected by domestic and family violence Directive.
