1800 992 842

Family violence is a workplace issue

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If you’re experiencing violence at home, you may be entitled to leave, flexible work arrangements, or other entitlements to help you stay safe. We can help. 
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Violence doesn’t stay at home when victim-survivors go to work. Harassing phone calls, sleep deprivation, fear, and stress can all affect someone’s ability to work and maintain steady employment. This is why family violence is very much a workplace issue and employers have a legal responsibility to help their employees stay safe at work. 

Family violence has workplace consequences 

Family violence is a workplace issue. You have legal rights when it comes to keeping yourself safe at work. Family and domestic violence can severely affect an employee’s work life in multiple ways, such as: 

  • Increased absenteeism due to court appearances, medical appointments, or recovery 
  • Stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep impacting your ability to do your job
  • Safety concerns if the person committing violence knows the workplace location 
  • Difficulty maintaining regular work hours due to managing crisis situations 

Experiencing violence is stressful and pervasive. You shouldn’t have to worry about keeping your job on top of staying safe. If you are experiencing domestic violence, your employer has a responsibility to provide you with reasonable help, such as flexible working arrangements, family violence leave or other accommodations. 

At the Working Women’s Centre Victoria, we understand that family violence is a workplace issue. That’s why we provide women and non-binary people who are experiencing family or domestic violence with legal help for employment-related issues. 

Employers have a responsibility to their employees 

In Victoria, employers have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment. This may include: 

  • Providing up to 10 days of paid family violence leave each year 
  • Implementing policies and procedures to help during times of crisis
  • Ensuring confidentiality and privacy 
  • Supporting flexible working arrangements when needed. 

If you need additional support from your employer, or your employer has failed to provide this support to you, you may have a legal issue. The Working Women’s Centre Victoria has a team of specialist lawyers ready to provide you with advice and support, whether you are looking to access your entitlements while dealing with crisis, keep your job, or get back what you are owed. 

Paid leave is available 

There are many reasons you may need to take time off work when dealing with violence or abuse. In Victoria, you are entitled to 10 days of family violence leave each year. This leave can be used to: 

  • Attend court hearings 
  • Access police services 
  • Obtain medical care 
  • Seek legal advice 
  • Organise alternative housing 
  • Attend counselling 

If you are facing family or domestic violence and your employer has refused to give you paid family violence leave, call the Working Women’s Centre Victoria for help. 

The Working Women’s Centre Victoria Can Help 

The Working Women’s Centre Victoria has specialist lawyers ready to provide free, confidential legal help for women working across Victoria. We can help you understand your rights, communicate with your employer, and get the help you need. 

We’re here to help any woman working anywhere in Victoria – even if you live in regional or remote areas. We can also organise an interpreter if you need. 

1800 WWC VIC (1800 992 842)
Mon-Fri 9am-3pm