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The Department for the Economy are consulting about the introduction of regulations to entitle employees who are the victims of domestic abuse up to 10 days paid safe leave in each leave year so that they can deal with issues related to that abuse.

The Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Act (NI) 2022 is an important piece of legislation to help employees who are victims and its purpose is to make provision for paid safe leave for victims of domestic abuse.  The consultation is seeking views on the Department’s approach to developing the regulations so that they meet the needs of victims of domestic abuse and provide guidance to employers to help them understand and fulfil their obligations.  Responses to the consultation will help the Department to determine:

  • how to develop a legislative framework which enables employers to provide support to employees who are dealing with the challenges of domestic abuse
  • the process for taking safe leave
  • the regulatory, equality and other impacts of the policy.

The deadline for responses to this consultation is 27th September 2024 and you can find the consultation on safe leave on the Department for the Economy’s website here:

https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/consultations/domestic-abuse-safe-leave