On March 15, 2016, the Manitoba government amended the Employment Standards Code to give victims of domestic violence the right to time off work. As stated by the Labour and Immigration Minister Ema Braun, the legislation will make sure victims have financial security, job protection and flexibility to take time off to recover from violence. To be entitled to domestic violence leave, employees must have been employed for at least 90 days, and be victims of domestic violence. Under the Domestic Violence and Stalking Act, victim of domestic abuse is defined as:
- an intentional, reckless or threatened act or omission that causes bodily harm or property damage;
- an intentional, reckless or threatened act or omission that causes a reasonable fear of bodily harm or property damage;
- conduct that reasonably, in all circumstances, constitutes psychological or emotional abuse;
- forced confinement;
- sexual abuse.
For the abuse to be classified as domestic abuse, the acts must be perpetrated by someone in a familial or domestic relationship with the victim.
Employees may take up to 10 days to use intermittently or in consecutive days and an additional continuous period of leave of up to 17 weeks in a 52 week period. Five of these days are paid if the employee notifies the employer. The time off can be used to:
- seek medical attention for themselves or their children for an injury caused by the domestic violence,
- obtain services from a victim services organization,
- obtain psychological or other professional counseling,
- relocate, and
- seek legal or law enforcement assistance.
The law becomes effective April 1, 2016. CPC Manitoba products will be updated shortly with the new paid leave information.