Small business employees across Australia now have access to ten days of paid family and domestic violence leave under new changes by the Albanese Labor Government.
It now means that all workers across Australia are covered by the same leave entitlement, which was initially launched on February 1 this year for around seven million employees in large or medium-sized businesses - including casual workers.
Ministers for the Department of Social Services say small businesses had an extra six months to adjust to the change as they may not have the same human resources capacity as larger businesses to make arrangements to administer the leave effectively.
“No one should have to choose between their safety and their pay,” Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke said.
“Paid family and domestic violence leave is a workplace entitlement that will save lives.”
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the measure will allow victims of family violence to take time off work without losing income and without losing their jobs.
“Violence against women and children is not acceptable, and for some, it has been inescapable,” Rishworth said.
“No one should have to choose between their work or their safety, and this is why we want to take strong action to protect anyone experiencing violence from disadvantage or discrimination in the workplace.”
Amid the extension, the government provided a Small Business Assistance package giving support to smaller enterprises as they implement the leave entitlements. This can be found on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
The Australian Government and Lifeline Australia have also released a podcast titled ‘Small business, big impact: how to support employees experiencing family and domestic violence', to further support small businesses.
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot said the podcast can help small businesses prepare for conversations about paid family and domestic violence leave.
“The podcast, designed for small businesses, has been guided by experts from the family and domestic violence sector, alongside representatives from small business and their peak bodies,” Elliot said.
In each podcast episode, host Gretel Killeen speaks with an expert guest discussing what constitutes family and domestic violence, the signs of someone experiencing this violence, and how employers can talk about it with their employees.
More information on paid family and domestic violence leave is available on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and other platforms.
The Government also commissioned a website - 10dayspaidfdvleave.com.au - specifically for small businesses.
Existing government-funded services and training, including 1800 RESPECT and DV Alert, will continue to support businesses and their employees to deal with Family and Domestic Violence.