Unions have called for a minimum of ten days paid leave each year for victims of domestic violence. An Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) submission to the Government, published at the end of last month, highlighted the disproportionate impact that Covid-19 restrictions have had on victims of violence, harassment and abuse.

A recent survey found that almost 15% of women in Ireland have experienced physical violence by a partner, while over 30% had experienced psychological violence.

The survey also showed that over 30% of employed women had experienced psychological violence by a partner since age 15, and some 25% of employed women know a victim of domestic violence where they work or study.

The figures in the report highlight the direct and indirect impact of domestic violence on work attendance and productivity. Respondents also reported that the abuse continued at their workplace including being harassed through phone calls and emails.

The survey results informed ICTU’s submission on the issue of paid domestic violence leave, which also includes calls for information on how to respond and support colleagues experiencing violence.

At present, women have to take annual leave, and unpaid leave once that was exhausted. In some cases they may leave or lose their job.

The ICTU submission calls for clear workplace polices and a range of supports, including paid leave and safety planning, to help employers fulfil their workplace safety obligations and manage risk.

Studies of Australian employers who have paid domestic violence leave arrangements found that the average number of days taken is between two and three.

Fórsa has supported ICTU’s call for a statutory annual entitlement of up to 10 days' paid domestic violence leave.

Meanwhile, equality minister Roderic O’Gorman has pledged that legislative proposals for a statutory entitlement to paid domestic violence leave would be brought forward by the end of this year. Speaking at an ICTU event last month, he said he was also seeking employers’ views of employers on the potential impact of the initiative.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to undertake an investigation into paid leave and support for victims, and commits to a statutory entitlement or paid domestic violence leave to be introduced by end of this year.

Paid domestic violence leave has been on the international trade union agenda for many years, most recently in the negotiations on ILO Convention 190, which addresses violence and harassment at work. It recommends specifies measures that should be taken to mitigate the impacts of domestic violence at work, including leave for victims, flexible work arrangements, and the inclusion of domestic violence in workplace risk assessments.

A few governments have risen to the challenge, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Read ICTU’s submission HERE.