Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Video | Agriculture | Confidence | Economy | Energy | Employment | Finance | Media | Property | RBNZ | Science | SOEs | Tax | Technology | Telecoms | Tourism | Transport | Search

 

Domestic Violence Bill could cost the Employer


Green's Domestic Violence - Victim’s Protection Bill 2016 is coming up for a third Parliamentary reading.

The aim of this Bill is to amend the Domestic Violence Act 1995, Employment Relations Act 2000, Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, Holidays Act 2003, and Human Rights Act 1993 to enhance legal protections for victims of domestic violence.

The Bill supports victims to stay in paid employment and addresses any discrimination by amending the definitions and circumstances of forms of workplace violence, such as bullying or violence from customers or client.

As it stands, the Bill requires Employers to give victims who claim it an extra 10 days leave per year in a similar way as sick leave works. The National Party have since withdrawn their support.

Employment Relations Act 2000

Working arrangements

The Bill provides that employees who are victims of domestic violence may request a variation of their working arrangements. The employer must answer the request as soon as possible and no later than 3 months after receiving it. The Bill also provides that the employer may refuse a request only if it cannot be accommodated on certain grounds (such as 'an inability to reorganise work among existing staff,' 'the potential for a detrimental impact on quality' and 'the burden of additional costs'). The Bill provides for mediation by a Labour Inspector if there is a relevant dispute between the employee and the employer. If that process fails, the employee may refer the matter to the Employment Relations Authority.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Hazard of a worker suffering domestic abuse
The Bill replaces the definition of hazard so that a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must, in taking all practicable steps to ensure that workers are not exposed to hazards, including the hazard of a worker suffering domestic violence. The Bill also provides that PCBUs must have policies on handling situations arising from the hazard of a worker suffering domestic violence and they are required to take all practicable steps to ensure that health and safety representatives receive training in supporting workers who are victims of domestic violence.

Holidays Act 2003
Paid leave for victims of domestic abuse
The Bill provides that a victim of domestic violence has a minimum entitlement to 10 day’s paid leave (as if it were sick or bereavement leave) for the purpose of dealing with the effects of being a victim of domestic violence within a year of the employer’s approval being granted.

Human Rights Act 1993
Prohibited ground of discrimination to include being a victim of domestic violence

The Bill provides for an additional prohibited ground of discrimination, that of 'being a victim of domestic violence'.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
GenPro: General Practices Begin Issuing Clause 14 Notices

GenPro has been copied into a rising number of Clause 14 notices issued since the NZNO lodged its Primary Practice Pay Equity Claim against General Practice employers in December 2023.More

SPADA: Screen Industry Unites For Streaming Platform Regulation & Intellectual Property Protections

In an unprecedented international collaboration, representatives of screen producing organisations from around the world have released a joint statement.More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.