Women's Aid engaged to produce domestic violence guidelines for employers

Minister launches project to develop tools for employers supporting staff experiencing domestic violence.

In early June, Minister Roderic O’Gorman, Minster for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth launched a new project with Women’s Aid aimed at developing tools for employers supporting employees experiencing domestic violence.

The project follows the passage of the Work Life Balance Act 2023, which introduced a statutory right to five days of leave for victims of domestic violence and will provide support materials and services for employers in developing domestic violence workplace policies.

Women’s Aid was awarded the contract following an open tender process and will develop templates and guidelines for employers of all sizes.

Women’s Aid will be engaging with key stakeholders including Ibec, before dissemination of template policies and guidelines to assist employers.

The Minister said that the provisions contained in the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 for five days paid domestic violence leave in a 12-month period will commence in autumn. The regulations setting out the level of pay for domestic violence leave will also be published in the coming months, according to the Minister.