Sask adds paid leave for victims of violence

May 15, 2019, 12:21 pm

On Monday, paid job leave for survivors of interpersonal and sexual violence was introduced and passed in the Saskatchewan Legislature.

Employees will be able to take five paid days and five unpaid days under Bill No. 172, The Saskatchewan Employment (Paid Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Violence Leave) Amendment Act, 2019. Previously, employees could take a 10-day, unpaid leave.

“All forms of interpersonal and sexual violence are unacceptable,” Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan said. “It is important that we do everything we can to help survivors access the services and supports they need. We hope that allowing for survivors to take five days leave without the financial worries will make it easier for them to do so.”

To be eligible, an employee, employee’s child or a person for whom an employee is a caregiver must be the victim of interpersonal or sexual violence and the employee requires time off work to:

Seek medical attention;

Obtain services from a victims’ services organization;

Obtain psychological or other professional services;

Relocate, either temporarily or permanently; or

Seek legal or law enforcement assistance and attend court appearances.

Employees must have worked for an employer for a minimum of 13 weeks and may be required to provide evidence of the services being received if asked to qualify for the leave.

Employers are required to keep personal information confidential.

The Saskatchewan Employment (Paid Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Violence Leave) Amendment Act, 2019 will come into effect upon Royal Assent, which is expected in mid-May.