February 10th, 2012 Bill Passed to Help Domestic Violence Victims Keep Their Jobs
A bill was recently passed in the Senate that requires companies with more than 50 employees to allow up to 15 days of leave for any employee who is a victim of domestic violence or lives with a family member who is a victim of domestic violence.
Employees can use the leave to obtain any DV-related services, including medical attention, counseling, housing, or to obtain orders of protection and other legal assistance.
Employers can require employees to provide documentations, such as restraining orders, police reports, or medical notes to certify that the employee or employee’s family member is a victim of domestic violence. The bill requires the employer to keep all information about the employee’s leave confidential. Employees must exhaust all available leave, such as vacation and sick time, before seeking leave established under this bill; however, an employer may waive this requirement.
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