The push to introduce domestic violence leave in Australian workplaces has been met with fierce debate.
While more than half of major private sector employers have introduced domestic violence leave in the past year, Australia’s Fair Work Act does not presently provide workers with a right to this type of leave.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is hoping to change this with a submission to the Fair Work Commission, calling for 10 days of paid domestic violence leave, and an additional two days of unpaid leave, in all modern awards.
But powerful voices like those of Minister for Women Michaelia Cash and columnist Miranda Devine are largely critical of the concept.
Cash has previously said domestic violence leave would mean fewer jobs for women, and more barriers to their employment, while Devine caused waves when she suggested the ‘divvie’ has the potential to become the new ‘sickie’.
How does DV leave stop DV, exactly?If anything it encourages it, or at least false reports. “Divvie” the new “sickie”. Another union rort https://t.co/y9mrdu26Ks
— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) November 16, 2016