Fórsa continues to work towards ensuring better support for those experiencing domestic violence and has called on the government to increase paid domestic violence leave to 10 days.

A key issue for the union, Fórsa has long-fought for protections for workers experiencing domestic abuse. Following a lengthy campaign during which the union tirelessly lobbied for statutory paid leave for those experiencing abuse, and fought to secure domestic violence policies in workplaces across all of the union’s divisions, five days statutory paid domestic violence leave per year came into effect last November under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. 

While broadly welcomed as a milestone in this hard-fought campaign, Fórsa had expressed disappointment at the five-day limit and committed to continue to collectively bargain for increased supports. Delegates at Fórsa’s national conference in May voted overwhelmingly in support of a motion mandating the union to further engage with Government to increase domestic violence leave and bring it in line with recommendations from Women’s Aid and advisory working groups.

“No one experiencing domestic violence should have to risk poverty or unemployment to seek support. Financial independence from abusers is the key to escaping and building a better life. This leave helps workers find a pathway out of violence - it’s disappointing that the leave is for only five days, but we continue to work to collectively bargain to provide for ten days paid leave,” said Fórsa National Secretary and Equality Officer Ashley Connolly.

Last month, Women's Aid launched its annual impact report which recorded its highest ever number of domestic abuse disclosures for last year. The report found that 40,048 disclosures of abuse against women and children were made last year during 28,638 contacts with frontline services, an 18% increase compared to 2022. READ the report here.

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The effects of domestic abuse often spill over into the workplace and Fórsa has long maintained that domestic violence is a workplace issue. 

Fórsa’s Róisín McKane said workers should feel supported and should not face losing their jobs or income because they are experiencing abuse at home. 

“Those experiencing abuse may not have financial independence or full control of their own finances. If a person’s income is monitored or appropriated by their abuser or both, a change in their normal salary may alert the abuser, putting the victim at risk. We believe the workplace should be a safe space. It’s time to extend domestic violence leave to ten days paid,” she said. 

More than 40% of respondents to the union’s 2022 survey said the work environment offered them some safety and respite from the abuse. Ashley said that domestic violence supports make a huge difference to victims and called on Government improve workplace supports for survivors. 

“Domestic abuse is in our communities and in our workplaces. One in four people have experienced abuse, and one of the critical ways in which people can be supported is by helping them maintain their financial independence from their abuser. Their work, as a source of income and personal autonomy outside of an abusive or controlling domestic environment, helps them to do that.”

“We’re urging the government to extend the statutory entitlements to ten days paid leave for those experiencing abuse, as set out by Women’s Aid and experts in this field. We know the difference these policies make, our members are a testament to this, and we will continue our efforts to support workers navigating a pathway out of abuse,” she said. 

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