Ireland has become one of the first countries in Europe to provide paid leave to victims of domestic abuse.
Statutory Domestic Violence Leave has been introduced today by the Minister for Equality, Roderic O'Gorman, and will provide up to five days fully paid absence from work annually to any employee impacted by domestic violence.
Mr O’Gorman hopes the introduction of this leave will start more conversations about safety in the workplace.
“Domestic violence leave is not just about the leave. It can start conversations in workplaces and society around domestic violence and raise awareness.”
“Employers have a crucial role to play and I would encourage them to use the supports which have been developed to create a safe space for employees experiencing domestic violence."
Workers won't have to provide evidence of the abuse in order to avail of the leave.
To help employers understand the move, Women's Aid have launched an online hub of information surrounding the new leave and how workplaces can develop policies on the matter.
It will host a series of webinars to help bosses come to terms with the change and show them how to provide the best care for their workers.
Last year, there were 34,000 cases of domestic abuse reported to Women's Aid.
The group say that this abuse can effect more than just the individual involved, by also effecting their attitude and abilities in work, therefore contributing to the environment and other workers around them.
Minister O'Gorman acknowledged five days will not allow victims a significant amount of time to "address the consequences of the domestic violence" and said Government would reexamine the legislation in two years’ time.
