CCIQ member alert / Important details on new paid Family and Domestic Violence leave entitlement

• Commencement Dates

Businesses with 15 or more employees must provide 10 days of paid Family and Domestic Violence leave to employees from 1 February 2023.

This new entitlement will come into effect on 1 August 2023 for businesses with 14 or less employees. Please note, the employee headcount refers to the number of employees as of 1 February 2023.

• Entitlement Details

Employees can take paid Family and Domestic Violence leave if they experience family and domestic violence and need to deal with the impacts during their work hours.

Existing employees will receive the entitlement in full on the relevant entitlement commencement date (listed above) and their leave balance will be restored in full on their service anniversary date each year.

New employees commencing employment after the relevant entitlement commencement date (listed above) will receive the entitlement in full on their first day of employment.

• Payment and Confidentiality

Employees must be paid for the hours they would have worked had they not taken paid Family and Domestic Violence leave.

Employers must ensure confidentiality of employees who take paid Family and Domestic Violence leave when keeping records and issuing payslips.

CCIQ recommends that employer reframe from referencing paid Family and Domestic Violence leave on an employee’s payslip.

• Family and Domestic Violence Leave Policy

CCIQ recommends that employers implement a paid Family and Domestic Violence leave policy.

CCIQ has developed a comprehensive Family and Domestic Violence leave policy template that is available for purchase on the CCIQ website.