Paid Family Violence Leave

Family violence leave recognises that employees may need time off work if they, or a close relative, are experiencing family violence. Paid family violence leave is when an employee takes leave from work due to family violence and continues to be remunerated during this time.

“Family violence leave” is preferable to “domestic violence leave” because “family violence” acknowledges that victim-survivors may experience violence from any member of their family (not only their intimate partner) as well as the fact that relatives of the victim-survivor may also need to take leave. Nevertheless, the phrase “domestic violence leave” is still commonly used in employment contracts and statute.