A Flinders University review of paid leave entitlements for victims of family and domestic violence (FDV) has been endorsed by the Federal Government.
All five recommendations made by Flinders University experts in an independent review last year were formally accepted this week to improve the FDV paid leave program.
The Government introduced 10 days of paid FDV leave to around 12.4 million workers, including casuals, in February 2023, aiming to ensure that "no worker ever has to choose between their safety and their income."
The Flinders University researchers found the leave was "life changing" for those who accessed it and that there was broad stakeholder support from both employers and unions.
The Australian Government has now unveiled new steps to improve the program, based on the Flinders University team's five recommendations, which were to:
CONDUCT ongoing evaluation and stakeholder consultation to develop the evidence base on paid FDV leave.
IMPROVE and promote existing resources, with a particular focus on small business and resources for employees
HARNESS the intelligence and advocacy of unions, employer representatives, and small business peak bodies to continue training and awareness-raising initiatives
TAP into existing distribution networks and focus on priority groups of employees in any move by the Government to enhance resources
IMPROVE awareness of and access to paid FDV leave must be integrated with broader community efforts to address FDV and gender inequality.
Among the initiatives now underway to address the recommendations are:
- More work to raise awareness to integrate the leave as an ordinary workplace practice across Australian workplaces
- Tailoring guidance for priority cohorts, such as First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse and casual employees
- Launching training programs for first responders, health, allied health and community frontline workers who commonly interact with victim-survivors on the entitlement
- Additional strategies to improve awareness and access to the entitlement
