The Andrews Labor Government has supported a push for family and domestic violence leave in all modern awards in a submission to the Fair Work Commission (FWC).
It makes good business sense to support workers who are victims of family violence. Family and domestic violence leave will keep affected workers engaged with their jobs and able to maintain financial independence.
The Labor Government’s submission to the FWC’s four yearly review of modern awards supports the ACTU’s claim to insert family and domestic violence leave in all modern awards.
Family and domestic violence is a leading contributor to death, disability and ill health for Victorian women aged between 15 and 44 years.
Two-thirds of Australian women who report violence by a current partner are in paid employment – about 800,000 women, or one in six female workers.
Tackling family and domestic violence at the workplace increases women’s economic independence and their capacity to leave abusive relationships.
It takes up 40 per cent of Victoria Police’s caseload and has been estimated to cost the Victorian economy $3.4 billion a year.
This submission builds on the Labor Government’s work to include a best practice family violence leave model clause for inclusion in all of its public sector enterprise agreements, with the recently signed Victorian Public Service Agreement delivering up to 20 days paid leave per year.
The Labor Government will implement all 227 recommendations stemming from the Royal Commission into Family Violence report, including those directed to the workplace.
Comments attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins
“We are working with victims and survivors of family violence, and with the people and organisations that support them, to build a better system that will help prevent family violence and keep people safe.”
“Providing paid and unpaid family and domestic violence leave entitlements in all modern awards will support victims who are seeking assistance or safety from violence.”
Comments attributable to Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson
“Family violence harms people and communities and reaches into the workplace. When women receive support at work, they are more able to leave abusive relationships.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020