From 1 August 2023, employees of small businesses can access 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave in a 12-month period. So, what does this mean for small business employers?
The new entitlement replaces the existing entitlement to 5 days of unpaid family and domestic violence leave under the National Employment Standards (NES). Employees, including casuals, are entitled to the full 10 days upfront, meaning they won’t have to accrue it over time. The leave doesn't accumulate from year to year if it isn’t used.
To support small business employers, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations engaged Transitioning Well, who have years of experience helping organisations manage the intersections between life and work, to develop 10DaysPaidFDVLeave.com.au. The website hosts a growing range of resources that have been developed in consultation with government and small business and family and domestic violence sector representatives. A wide variety of fact sheets are available for download to help small business employers understand their obligations and what they can do to support their employees. Small businesses can find information on:
- what paid domestic and family violence leave is
- how to administer paid family and domestic violence leave
- how to recognise if one of their employees might be affected
- what supports are available for them and their staff.
Further resources and information are available on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website. These resources include a ‘Small Business Guide to Family and Domestic Violence’ to help support small business employers to understand their responsibilities and how they can support employees experiencing family or domestic violence, manage family and domestic violence issues in the workplace, and develop a workplace response.
Existing government-funded services and training, including 1800RESPECT and DV-alert, continue to support businesses and their employees to deal with Family and Domestic Violence.
1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. If you or someone you know needs support, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.