The B.C. Ministry of Labour has introduced changes to the Employment Standards Act which, if approved, will provide paid leave for victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Changes would allow employees impacted by domestic or sexual violence, or parents of a child or dependent affected by this kind of violence, to access up to five days of paid leave from work.
“Domestic and sexual violence are deeply traumatizing crimes,” said Tracy Porteous, executive director, Ending Violence Association of British Columbia.
“In my 38 years working in this field, I have known too many survivors who have lost their jobs simply because they needed a few days away from work to deal with the aftermath of violence.”
This new legislation builds on measures introduced by the NDP government last year that guaranteed 10 unpaid, job-protected days of leave for victims of domestic or sexual violence.
If the amendment is passed, it would mean that five of those 10 days will be paid for.
According to the ministry, this measure was introduced after feedback from 6,261 British Columbians, as well as input from stakeholder consultation sessions and written submissions from employers, business associations and employee organizations during fall 2019.
The consultation found that most people, both employers and employees, as well as organizations, support some paid leave for people affected by domestic or sexual violence.
