Saskatchewan offers protected leave to violence victims
Victims in Saskatchewan will no longer need to worry about their job security when fleeing domestic violence, seeking support services or medical treatment, or attending court.
This week the provincial government announced 10 days of leave which is available to victims of interpersonal violence, in order to support the victims and ensure they do not suffer further by losing their income. The unpaid leave is available to any employee who has been a victim of violence and worked at their current job more than 13 weeks. The leave is also available if an employee’s child or dependant has been victimized, and can be taken in short blocks of a few hours, or all at once as required.
“If you need two hours to see a lawyer, see a therapist, or a day or two days to relocate, you’re entitled to take it – and take it as you need it,” Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan told reporters. “We wanted to protect people that were the victims of violence.”
The new legislation is expected to receive Royal Assent today, meaning the leave will be immediately available to all victims of violence.