Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) is a serious and costly social issue in Australia.
It is reported that one in four women have experienced FDV from an intimate partner.
The estimated average cost to leave an abusive relationship is $18,000 in Australia. This can be massively prohibitive for many abuse victims, especially if there are children involved.
Legislation of FDV entitlements
Did you know that the Federal Government recently legislated a bill that includes up to 10 days of paid leave, over a 12-month period for FDV victims?
This legislation will introduce changes to the National Employment Standards (NES) that every employer must be aware of.
These changes encompass full-time, part-time and casual employees and will assist more people to leave abusive relationships and retain employment in the process.
The entitlements will take effect from 1 February 2023, allowing a six-month transition time for employers.
What you must know as an Employer
With the introduction of FDV leave, it is essential for employers to adequately review their existing leave policies to align with the new entitlements.
For some employers, who did not previously offer FDV leave, this will involve developing new policies and procedures to cater for these entitlements.
How to introduce FDV entitlement in your workplace
When creating new or adapting old policies it is important to communicate and consult with employees on the matter. This will make certain that employees are aware of their entitlements.
When dealing with sensitive matters such as FDV it is particularly important that managers are adequately skilled and trained to respond to employees experiencing FDV.
In some workplaces, this can be a big cultural change, where broader education is required across the business to help create awareness and a greater understanding of the matter.
As a business, it can be highly stressful and complicated tackling complex matters such as FDV. The support of an external Human Resources Consultant can help you navigate this complex issue, to ensure that your organisation is prepared for the entitlements to take effect in February 2023.
Preparing for successful changes to company culture
HRTAS are highly skilled at developing new policies and adapting existing documents to address such sensitive issues.
And by engaging an expert to guide your business through these changes, you’ll ensure that employees feel comfortable with the changes.
For more information about the FDV entitlements in your business, contact us today.
