Trigger warning: this article contains references to family and domestic violence.
In some policy news that should be copied by all, the NSW Government is providing every public sector worker 20 days of family and domestic violence leave. This scheme doubles the amount of leave these folks can receive and will start at the beginning of next year.
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Natalie Ward, was very pleased with this announcement.
“As the largest employer in NSW, it is our Government’s responsibility to provide workers with the support and security to take time away from work to take the necessary steps to find safety for themselves and their family,” explained Ward.
“That is why we have made this commitment to double the amount of paid family and domestic violence leave available to all public sector employees from 10 to 20 days, to give our workers greater support at a time when they need it most.”
Minister for Employee Relations, Damien Tudehope, additionally commented on this matter by saying, “This new leave provision is the latest in a raft of improvements our government has put in place to improve work environments for NSW public sector workers and sets the standard for other jurisdictions and the private sector to follow.”
Tudehope then went on to note, “Already our Government has enacted nation-leading measures to ensure families, women and children are front of mind in the public sector, including new parental leave policies, and leave in the event of a miscarriage.”
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According to the APP, women’s safety advocates have been in favor of such programs in the past. For instance, multiple people got behind the Federal Government’s back during July. This was after they outlined their plan of giving all Australians 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave.
One such person that supported this move was the Australian Services Union’s branch secretary, Natalie Lang. After this idea was announced, she noted, “It will make all the difference to women to be able to leave a violent relationship safely.”
However, Lang also asserted, “This entitlement is long overdue and will show women they are valued and their needs are a priority for this government.”
If you or anyone you know is struggling and needs support, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14, both of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7. You can also talk to someone from 1800RESPECT via online chat. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
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