The Government of Saskatchewan has opened a job protection program for people dealing with domestic violence.
The new law allows 10 days of leave from work for someone in an abusive situation to get medical attention, obtain assistance from victim support and legal resources or relocate to a safe home. An employee, employee’s child or a person for whom an employee is a caregiver must be the victim of interpersonal violence to use the leave. The 10 days can be taken in shorter blocks of a few hours or a few days as needed.
Executive Director of the Interval Home Society Angela Rooks-Trotzuk says the new legislation is a great addition to the Saskatchewan labour standards.
“Having legislation in place that allows people to have some time to ensure that their safety is met and ensure that their basic human needs are met is a great move in the right direction and it’s a recognition that this is a traumatic event in people’s lives.”
Rooks-Trotzuk says the Interval Home can provide help if someone needs to use interpersonal leave.
“The Interval Home has a whole list of resources at our disposal, whether it be prevention resources, crisis intervention resources, or postvention and outreach resources.”
Interpersonal violence leave will also be available in Alberta starting January 1st.