Civil servants experiencing domestic violence will now be able to avail of paid leave of up to five days per year, following the recent passage of legislation to bring in paid domestic violence leave.

Paschal Donohoe, the Minister for Public Expenditure, announced last week that the new policy in the Civil Service would allow for up to five days fully paid leave per year for civil servants suffering domestic violence from their spouse or partner or their child.

Fórsa has campaigned on this issue since 2022, and the leave has been legislated for under the work life balance and miscellaneous provisions act 2023, signed into law in April.

At the union’s conference in May last year, Fórsa delegates unanimously backed a conference motion for statutory paid leave for victims of domestic violence. The conference motion committed the union to actively campaign to legislate for an effective statutory entitlement to paid leave for victims of domestic violence.

The new policy contains safeguards so that anyone taking domestic violence leave will be able to do so without their entire workplace finding out, requiring managers to keep information on domestic violence disclosures, and leave applications, confidential.

They must be willing to change a civil servant’s work phone and email so that they cannot be contacted in work by their abuser.

Managers will also be required to have a designated and locked place in which to store information and will be encouraged to watch out for any “changes in performance, attendance and behaviour” and any signs of “bruises or injuries with implausible explanations.”

The policy advises managers to “gauge when to start a conversation” about potential supports if the cause could be domestic violence and abuse and will also be required to consider changing the work duties and working patterns of a civil servant who is suffering from domestic violence on a temporary basis.

Fórsa members continue to campaign on this issue. SNA and North Dublin North Leinster member Linda O’Sullivan is running the Dublin Marathon later this month for Women's Aid. Linda said: “This charity has a special place in my heart. At Fórsa conference last year our members voted unanimously to pass a motion for paid domestic violence for victims- something which is becoming a reality this Autumn. I would really appreciate the support of members in helping to raise as much as we can to allow Women's Aid to continue their work.” Click here to donate