The Australian Government has introduced proposed legislation that would entitle all employees, including casuals, to an annual 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave from early next year.
The entitlement is expected to take effect from 1 February 2023 for medium and large businesses, while small businesses will have a further six months, to August 2023, to adjust to the change.
The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, The Hon Tony Burke, says entitlements in Labor’s Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2022 will extend to casuals, in addition to full and part-time employees, because they are “not spared from family and domestic violence”.
“In fact, women who are experiencing family and domestic violence are more likely to be employed in casual work,” Burke says, adding “We cannot leave them behind”.
“That’s why this has to be a universal entitlement.”
The BetterHR Advice team is here to assist with any enquiries employers may have around this entitlement once it is legislated.
